Boxscore - Game 1
Boxscore - Game 2
FORT MYERS, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team was swept in a doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast in the final day of the regular season at Swanson Stadium in Fort Myers, Fla. The Ospreys dropped a 4-2 decision in game one, before falling 9-2 in the second game.
Offensively in game one, the Ospreys collected eight hits, scoring a pair of runs. Preston Hale and Andrew Hannon each had a pair of hits in the game with Hannon recording a double and scoring a run.
Michael Kelly took the loss in the first game. The senior scattered 11 hits in 6.1 innings of work. He was charged with four runs, of which, only three where earned. Kelly did not walk a batter and struck out six.
Casey Medlen tossed the final 1.2 innings. The fireballer allowed no runs on one hit.
In game two, North Florida collected six hits led by Michael Smith who recorded two hits in the game. Smith also scored one of the Ospreys' runs, with Hale scoring the second run.
John Atteo took the hard luck loss for the Ospreys in game two. The senior tossed 7.0 innings, scattering six hits. He surrendered four runs, but no earned runs as all four runs came in the third inning after an error. Atteo walked two and struck out a pair.
Robbie Collier and Kyle Westwood pitched the final inning for UNF. Collier was saddled for five runs on six hits in just 0.2 of an inning. Westwood allowed one hit, but did not allow a run.
GAME 1 RECAP
The Ospreys were the first team to score, plating a run in the top of the first inning. UNF's T.J. Gavlik hit a routine ground ball to third base that was mishandled by the FGCU player, allowing the first base runner of the game. Justin Preckajlo followed with a single to second base. Hale continued the inning with a walk to load the bases. With the bases loaded and no outs, the Eagles induced a double play for the first two outs of the inning. However, Gavlik was able to score from third on the play, putting the Ospreys ahead, 1-0.
The Eagles responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning. After retiring the first batter of the inning, FGCU used an infield single to place a runner on first base. A double over the head of the UNF left fielder scored the runner from first. The Ospreys ended the inning tied 1-1 after a pair of ground balls recorded the final two outs.
North Florida regained the lead in the top of the second inning, 2-1. With one out, Hannon doubled to right field just out of the reach of a diving FGCU player. Hannon advanced to third on a wild pitch. Sam Perry walked to give UNF runners on the corners. Gavlik followed with a ground ball to the shortstop. The Eagles were unable to turn the double play, allowing Hannon to score from third.
Florida Gulf Coast tied the score at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Back-to-back-singles scored the lead run, tying the game after three innings of play.
The game remained tied until the sixth inning when FGCU took its first lead of the game. With two outs, a fielding error allowed a base runner. The runner advanced on a wild pitch and came home on an RBI single through the left side of the infield.
The Eagles added a run in the bottom of the seventh to go ahead by two. The hosts used a single to right center field and a ground out to place a runner in scoring position. A single to left field scored the runner and pushed the Eagles advantage to 4-2.
Neither team could score in the final two innings, with FGCU claiming the two-run victory.
GAME 2 RECAP
Florida Gulf Coast broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. A leadoff single started things off for FGCU. The runner advanced on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter hit a ground ball back to the pitcher. UNF opted to retire the lead runner, however, the throw to third was off the mark, allowing the run to score. Another fielder's choice left runners on the corners with just one out. A pop up recorded the second out of the inning, but a walk loaded the bases. The Eagles scored three runs on a base-clearing double to center field. All the runs were unearned, but the Ospreys were still behind 4-0 after three innings.
North Florida scored a run in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, Smith singled down the right field line. Ryan Roberson entered the game to pinch hit. A ground ball to shortstop was thrown away, allowing both runners to move into scoring position. T.J. Thompson hit a deep fly ball to right field to score Smith on the sacrifice fly, cutting the deficit to 4-1.
The Ospreys had a chance to tie the game in the eighth inning. Hale singled through the right side of the infield and moved to second on a wild pitch. He moved to third on a groundout. Roberson delivered an RBI single to center field to cut the lead to 4-2. Thompson walked to continue the inning. Both runners advanced on a passed ball, moving the tying run into scoring position with one out. The Eagles escaped the inning with back-to-back strikeouts.
The Eagles cemented the victory with a five-run eighth inning. FGCU used seven hits, including a pair of doubles to score five runs and take a seven run lead, 9-2.
North Florida heads to Nashville, Tenn. for the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. The tournament is hosted by Lipscomb and will begin on Wednesday, May 26. The Ospreys are the No. 4 seed and will face the No. 3 seed East Tennessee State in the first round. Game time is slated for 8:00 p.m. (ET).
