Exciting rally not enough for UNF

Friday, March 20

Jacksonville, Fla.

7 p.m.

University of North Florida

6-15, 1-6

Belmont

12-8, 6-1

Belmont

North Florida

Paul Morales blasted a two-run home run against Belmont on Friday.

3/20/2009 11:04:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Ospreys a few feet short of tying game in ninth

By: Eric Scott, UNF Athletics

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team was within one swing of tying the game in the bottom of the ninth, but the deep fly ball was caught and UNF dropped an 8-5 decision to Belmont on Friday night at Harmon Stadium.

UNF (6-15, 1-6 Atlantic Sun Conference) put up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to pull closer to Belmont's lead. With two outs, sophomore Michael Smith began the comeback with an RBI single to right field that drove in sophomore Robbie Collier, who pinch ran for junior David Eldredge.

Senior Brian Wilson kept the thundering march alive with an RBI single to center field, which brought freshman Steve Hillan across the plate. With runners on second and third and a 1-0 count, junior Preston Hale hit a Jimmy Stanley pitch on the nose and to deep left field, but with no breeze carrying out, Belmont's Derek Hamblin was able to come down with it at the warning track to end the game.

Everything started coming together at the plate for UNF in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore Paul Morales launched a first-pitch fastball from Belmont's Brian Kelley over the right field wall for a two- run home run. Redshirt freshman Andrew Karmeris, who led off the inning with a single, also scored on the homer.

The Ospreys tacked on another run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI groundout from junior Justin Preckajlo to help Smith score. Smith was helped by a flub-up by the Bruins on an attempt to throw him out at home when Hale grounded to third. Belmont third baseman Brandon McCall gunned the ball to Belmont catcher Vinny Casha, but Smith sprinted back to third and was able to beat Casha's throw to stay alive.

UNF had prime scoring opportunities in the third and fourth innings but were stifled with double play balls. The Ospreys' two-run seventh could have been larger had it not been for a double play earlier in the inning.

Morales finished the game 2-for-4 with a double to go along with his two-run jack. Karmeris also notched two hits.

Senior RHP Ty Pryor (2-4) was credited with the loss for the Ospreys despite striking out five straight Bruins in the first and second innings. Pryor finished with six strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work and gave up only three hits but walked five. UNF pitchers tied a season-high with seven walks given up.

The Ospreys will wrap up their three-game series against Belmont with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday at Harmon Stadium.