A Rain‑Delayed Triumph
The Lions entered the second round of the Atlantic Sun Conference Championship with a clear mission: to break through the early‑season drought of shutouts. Against the fifth‑seeded Jacksonville team, UNA struck first, building a 5‑0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the game.
Weather forced a six‑hour delay, with rain pooling on the diamond, but the pause did not dampen the pitching staff’s focus. Justus Agosto and reliever Gavin Oswald combined to limit Jacksonville to just three hits, including a stretch where the opposition was held hitless until the fourth inning.
Offensively, the lineup clicked early. Petey Craska went 3‑for‑4, sparking a rally that began with Tyler LePage’s backside double that scored Wes Walker. Nash Rippen’s timely hit tied a school record for walks in a season, while Dylan Coleman, one hit shy of a personal milestone, contributed to the offensive surge.
The victory also marked a personal milestone for several players. Gavin Oswald recorded his eighth win of the season, all earned out of the bullpen, and closed the game with two strikeouts in the final two innings. The shutout not only avenged two prior defeats to Jacksonville but also positioned UNA to face No. 1 seed North Florida in the double‑elimination bracket.
With the win, the Lions improve to a season record that reflects their resilience in low‑scoring affairs, having secured five victories without a home run and now standing one hit away from tying the program’s single‑season hits record. The upcoming matchup promises another high‑stakes contest as UNA seeks its first tournament championship.