Perfect throw holds back UNF

Wednesday, April 9

Gainesville, Fla.

6:30 PM

University of North Florida

18-15

Florida

23-10

North Florida

Florida

Preston Hale went 2-for-4 against No. 21 Florida on Wednesday.

4/9/2008 9:28:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Costly errors give No. 21 UF two unearned runs

By: Eric Scott, UNF Athletics

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - It took a dead-on throw from Florida right fielder Jonathan Pigott to prevent the University of North Florida baseball team to put itself in position to record another upset, but in the end, the Ospreys could not get enough timely hitting and fell 3-2.

UNF (18-15) lost its first one-run game to the 21st- ranked Gators in the series' history. The Ospreys outhit UF 9-6, marking just the third time this season UNF picked up a loss after besting its opponent in the hits column. The Ospreys didn't record an extra-base hit for the first time since March 2 against Florida Gulf Coast. Sophomore Preston Hale led the Ospreys with two hits and a run scored.

The game hit its climax in the top of the eighth when UNF had a chance to tie it at three after Hannon's sacrifice bunt put runners at second and third. Senior Andy Warren hit a fly ball that looked deep enough for a sacrifice fly, but Hale was gunned down at the plate by Pigott on a throw that couldn't have been more perfect.

Hale helped the Ospreys jump out to the game's first lead in the top of the first when UF first baseman Clayton Pisani bobbled the throw from shortstop Cole Figueroa, allowing Hale to advance two bases and score.

But Florida equalized the game in the bottom of the inning on an RBI groundout by Jon Townsend, which allowed Avery Barnes to score. Barnes was able to advance third after sophomore catcher Michael Gropper made a wild throw into center field in his effort to throw out Barnes' attempt at stealing second.

The Gators added two more in the bottom of the second on Pisani's RBI single and a sacrifice fly by Barnes to give them a 3-1 lead. Two of UF's runs of UNF sophomore starting RHP Jonathan Turner were unearned.

In the top of the seventh, the Ospreys were able to inch closer on a wild play. Sophomore T.J. Thompson hit a high chopper to third base and beat out a high throw by Townsend, which also allowed sophomore Ryan Lowe to cross the plate and cut the UF lead to 3-2.

Turner picked up the loss after allowing three runs on four hits. Juniors Antonio Franzese, Phil Rorabaugh and Tyler Stohr combined to pitch five innings of scoreless relief. Franzese allowed just two hits in three innings of work.

UNF will return to action at 7 p.m. on Thursday for an exhibition at Harmon Stadium with the U.S. Military All-Stars. The game will be aired live and on-demand on ASUN.TV.