Boxscore

 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team rallied from a four-run deficit to take a 5-4 lead, but allowed two runs in the final inning of play to fall, 6-5, to East Tennessee State (9-2, 3-0 Atlantic Sun) on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. 

 

Offensively, North Florida (7-7, 1-4 Atlantic Sun) pounded out 12 hits compared to just five hits by East Tennessee State.  However, ETSU made their five hits count, belting three home runs in the game. 

 

The Ospreys were led by freshman Alex Hernandez, senior Robbie Collier, junior T.J. Gavlik and junior Michael Wesner.  Hernandez led UNF, going 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and an RBI.  Collier finished the game with two hits and a run scored, while Gavlik added a pair of hits including a double, two RBI and a run scored.  Wesner finished the game with a pair of hits and a run scored. 

 

On the mound, starter Paul Karmeris went 4.2 innings.  He allowed just four hits, but was saddled with four runs.  Paul Karmeris struck out five batters but was hurt by four walks.  Evan Stermer entered the game to pitch in relief.  The junior tossed 1.0 scoreless innings, recording a walk and a strikeout.  Stermer gave way to freshman Tyler Moore.  The rookie tossed 2.1 innings, being charged with a run while striking out three and walking a pair.  Andrew Karmeris took the loss for the Ospreys.  He surrendered just one hit – the game-winning two-run home run – while recording a strikeout. 

 

East Tennessee State was the first team to score, plating one run in the second, third fourth and fifth innings.  In the second inning, ETSU used a solo home run to right field to put the Buccaneers on the scoreboard.  Another solo home run in the third inning pushed the visitors lead to 2-0. 

 

In the fourth inning, the Bucs increased their lead to 3-0 with a single run.  A leadoff walk, followed with a double down the right field line left ETSU with a pair of runners in scoring position.  A push bunt towards first base allowed the lead runner to score from third. 

 

ETSU added another run in the top of the fifth inning to go ahead 4-0.  For the second inning in a row, the Ospreys allowed a leadoff walk to start the inning.  A sacrifice bunt moved the runner over to second and a groundout placed the runner just 90-feet from home.  A double plated the runner and gave the Bucs a four-run cushion. 

 

North Florida cut the deficit in half with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Gavlik led things off with a single to center field.  He moved to second as Hernandez delivered a single to shallow center.  With two runners on, Corey Bass successfully executed a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position.  Michael Smith singled through the left side of the infield to score Gavlik easily from third.  The ball was mishandled by the ETSU left fielder and Hernandez was able to score on the error, cutting the score to 4-2.  

 

In the bottom of the seventh, UNF trimmed the margin to just one run.  Hernandez belted his first collegiate home run – a solo homer off the scoreboard in left field. 

 

North Florida took its first lead of the series in the bottom of the eighth inning.  Wesner led off the inning with a single to center field.  Kyle Dahl moved Wesner to second base with a sacrifice bunt.  Collier was hit by a pitch to give the Ospreys a pair of base runners.  With two outs, Gavlik doubled down the right field line, scoring both Wesner and Collier and giving North Florida a 5-4 advantage. 

 

In the top of the ninth inning, East Tennessee State regained the lead with a pair of runs, courtesy of a two-run home run.  A fielder's choice left the visitors with a runner on base and one out.  ETSU's Matthew Scruggs hit his second home run of the game to put the Bucs back in front by a score of 6-5. 

 

The Ospreys tried to rally in the bottom of the ninth inning.  Bass led off the inning with a single through the right side of the infield.  He moved into scoring position thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Smith.  However, Bass would get no closer to home as a foul out and a ground out ended the game and the UNF rally. 

 

North Florida and East Tennessee State will conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday afternoon.  First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m.