Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team started a rally at the end of its game with UCF on Tuesday night but ran out of gas at the end and dropped a 7-3 decision at Harmon Stadium.

UNF (14-19) had just three hits through the first four innings and didn't record another until the eighth, which was when the Ospreys put their attack together. Six different Ospreys recorded a hit, but no one had more than one hit.

Junior Justin Preckajlo, freshman TJ Gavlik and junior Kyle Dahl each tallied an RBI. Gavlik had UNF's only extra-base hit of the game, smashing a double down the left field line in the bottom of the fourth.

The Ospreys finally kicked it into gear in the bottom of the eighth after falling behind 6-0. Sophomore Paul Morales was able to reach base on an error to load the bases after Preckajlo singled and junior TJ Thompson walked.

Gavlik showed his patience at the plate and took four straight balls to walk in a run. Dahl took a page from Gavlik's book and walked on a full count to cut UCF's lead to 6-2.

The Knights (11-21) tacked on another run in the top of the ninth on a Brandon Romans home run. UNF fought back in the bottom of the ninth when sophomore Robbie Collier led off with a walk and junior Preston Hale hit a one-out single.

Preckajlo was able to knock in a run when he beat out a throw at first on a double-play attempt. But the comeback was thwarted when Thompson struck out to end the game.

Junior LHP Michael Kelly (1-2) was credited with the loss after tossing 2.2 innings and allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits. Senior Antonio Franzese tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief and allowed just two hits while notching a strikeout.

The Ospreys will return to action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday to take on No. 25 Florida State at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The game will be broadcast live on WBOB-AM 1320 in Jacksonville.