JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Josh Simpson tossed eight innings of two-hit ball to lift the Columbia baseball team to a 2-1 victory over North Florida Friday night. The Lions (1-8) scored a pair of runs in the top of the eighth to ear the come-from-behind victory.
Simpson struck out seven, compared to just one walk and allowed one unearned run to even his record at 1-1. Lucas Hall worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn the save.
The only trouble the senior left-hander ran into came in the bottom of the second. Simpson issued a two-out walk and the Blake Marabell's backswing ticked the glove of the Columbia catcher for an interference call. Chris Berry followed with a single up the middle to drive in the run from second, but that would be all for the Ospreys (11-8).
From there, Simpson and Hall faced the minimum over the final 21 outs. The last UNF baserunner came in the third after an error, but the next batter grounded into a double play to retire the side.
Columbia stranded a pair in the second, third and fifth innings before breaking through in the eighth. Joe Engel and Liam McGill started things off with a walk and infield single, setting up a sacrifice situation. Austin Mowrey laid down a bunt and the Osprey pitcher tried to throw out the lead runner at third, but his throw was off the mark and everyone was safe.
With the bases full, Josh Nicoloff hit a deep fly ball to right to tie the score. UNF's Eddie Miller nearly got out of the jam after recording back-to-back swinging strikeouts, however, on the second the third strike squirted under the glove of the catcher to allow McGill to come around from third and put the Lions on top for good.
Matt Cerfolio was 2-for-3 on the night and drew a pair of walks.
Miller (1-2) took the loss for the Ospreys despite not being charged with an earned run in his inning of relief. Starter Brad Depperman struck out nine over six frames, but walked four. Tanner Murphy notched the only other hit of the contest for UNF.
The Lions and Ospreys are slated to play a doubleheader Saturday, March 16. Game one is set for a 1 p.m. start with the nightcap to follow approximately 30 minutes after the opener.
