University of North Florida
24-20, 13-12
Jacksonville
24-22, 13-15
Furious rally comes up short
5/2/2008 11:17:00 PM | Baseball
UNF allows nine runs in first two innings
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team nearly pulled off an immaculate comeback against cross-town rival Jacksonville but early mistakes caused the Ospreys to come up short, 14-11.
Sophomore Andrew Hannon led UNF (24- 20, 13-12 Atlantic Sun Conference) at the plate, going 3-for-6 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored. Senior T.J. Gaudy had a team-high three RBIs.
It looked like JU (24-22, 13-15) had it wrapped up early after taking a 9-0 lead in the top of the second, but the Ospreys began to chip away with a four-run third inning. Sophomore Ryan Lowe got it started when he scored on a throwing error by JU third baseman Jamaal Hawkins. The Ospreys followed it up with back-to-back-to-back RBI singles up the middle by Hannon, senior Andy Warren and Gaudy.
UNF was able to take advantage of Dolphin miscues in the bottom of the fourth to pull to within 9- 6. A failed double play attempt by JU first baseman Alex Martinez allowed senior Travis Martin to reach on a fielder's choice and sophomore T.J. Thompson and senior Chad Knight to score.
Another rough inning in the fifth for UNF pitching caused the game to slip away further for the Ospreys. The Dolphins tacked on three more runs to take a 12- 6 lead. Despite the large deficit, UNF didn't show any signs of wilting and added two runs in the bottom of the sixth when Hannon hammered an RBI double and Gaudy walked with the bases loaded.
Gaudy helped put up another run in the eighth when his RBI groundout drove in Hannon, who led off the inning with a double to left field. Freshman Robbie Collier made the most of his only at- bat of the night and slipped an RBI single through the left side to pull the Ospreys to within 14-10.
Junior RHP Phil Rorabaugh had a solid relief outing, allowing just two runs (one earned) on three hits in 4.2 innings of work while striking out four. Martin finished with two runs scored and two RBIs.
UNF will continue action at 1 p.m. on Saturday against JU at Harmon Stadium. The Ospreys will need to win the next to in order to retain the SunTrust Old Wooden Barrel. The game will be aired live on WBOB-AM 1320 in Jacksonville and on ASUN.TV.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: DAVIS, Matt (2-2)
L: Pryor, Ty (5-4)
S: DOBBINS, Matt (1)
Batting:
2B: HAWKINS, Jamaal 1
3B: MARTINEZ, Alex 1
HR: GILLAN, Jeremy 1
RBI: FLEMING, Kyle 1 ; GILLAN, Jeremy 6 ; LOPEZ, Matt 3 ; OPACHICH, Chuck 2
SH: FERREIRA, Kevin 1 ; FLEMING, Kyle 1 ; LOPEZ, Matt 1
Base Running:
RUNS: FERREIRA, Kevin 1 ; FLEMING, Kyle 2 ; DOBBINS, Matt 2 ; GILLAN, Jeremy 2 ; MARTINEZ, Alex 2 ; LOPEZ, Matt 1 ; HAWKINS, Jamaal 2 ; BERNAZARD, Tony 2
SB: FERREIRA, Kevin 1 ; BERNAZARD, Tony 1
HBP: MYERS, Thomas 1
Batting:
2B: Hannon, Andrew 2
RBI: Martin, Travis 1 ; Hannon, Andrew 2 ; Warren, Andy 1 ; Gaudy, T.J. 3 ; Collier, Robbie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Thompson, TJ 1 ; Knight, Chad 1 ; Hale, Preston 3 ; Martin, Travis 2 ; Hannon, Andrew 2 ; Warren, Andy 1 ; Lowe, Ryan 1
HBP: Martin, Travis 2 ; Warren, Andy 1 ; Gropper, Michael 1
