Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team surrendered seven runs in the top of the first inning and were never able to recover as the Ospreys (11-11) fell, 14-8, to FIU (14-9) on Wednesday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
Offensively, the Ospreys recorded 12 hits compared to 16 by the Panthers. There were seven home runs hit in the game as the wind was blowing out for the entire game. FIU hit four home runs compared to three by UNF.
Sam Perry hit his team leading fifth home run of the season, finishing the game 1-for-2 with three walks, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI. Alex Hernandez was 3-for-6 on the day, finishing the afternoon with a run scored and four runs batted in thanks to a grand slam. Andrew Karmeris hit his fourth home run of the season.
In addition, Michael Smith and Alex Bacon each added a pair of hits on the day with one of Bacon's hits being a double.
On the mound, Josh Patton took the loss for the Ospreys. Patton was unable to escape the first inning surrendering six runs in 0.1 innings of work. Paul Karmeris got the Ospreys through the fourth inning, tossing 3.2 innings of work. He surrendered five runs on nine hits with a walk and two strikeouts.
Brandan Keen threw the next 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on one hit with three walks and four strikeouts. Clayton Schulz pitched the eighth inning, surrendering a run on a pair of hits with a strikeout. Joe Iorio closed out the final inning, retiring the Panthers in order.
FIU took a commanding lead in the first inning, jumping out to a quick 7-0 lead. The Panthers scored seven runs on seven hits with four extra base hits, including a home run and three doubles. FIU sent 12 batters to the plate in the first inning, marking just the second time this season that a team has batted around on the Ospreys.
North Florida scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, as Andrew Karmeris hit a solo home run to left field to put North Florida on the scoreboard.
In the second inning, the Panthers scored a pair of runs to increase their lead to 9-1. The inning was highlighted for FIU by a pair of solo home runs. The third inning was similar for FIU, as the Panthers used a two-run home run to push their advantage to 11-1. The lead was extended to 12-1 with a run in the sixth inning as a two-base error, a stolen base and a wild pitch allowed the 12th run to score.
The Ospreys cut into the Panthers lead with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, T.J. Gavlik delivered a pinch hit single through the left side of the infield. Back-to-back walks to Kyle Dahl and Perry loaded the bases. With one outs and the bases loaded, Hernandez hit his second home run of the season and first collegiate grand slam to cut the deficit to 12-5.
FIU added an insurance run in both the seventh and eighth innings to increase its lead to 14-5.
North Florida tried to rally in the ninth inning. Evan Stermer drew a one-out walk to get things started for the Ospreys. With two outs, Dahl singled through the right side of the infield. Perry jumped on the first pitch he saw, driving it over the right center field wall for his team leading fifth home run of the season. The three-run homer put the Ospreys within striking distance, but UNF would get no closer, falling 14-8.
The University of North Florida returns to action over the weekend as the Ospreys host Belmont in a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference beginning on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.
