Boxscore

MACON, Ga. – The University of North Florida baseball team received a complete game performance from starter Tyler Moore, but came up just short to Mercer, 2-1, in the final game of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series at Claude Smith Field in Macon, Ga.

The Ospreys and Bears battled the elements all day as the start of the game was pushed back over an hour due to inclement weather. In addition, the two teams played through rain and wet conditions in order to get the game completed.

Moore took the hard-luck loss for North Florida. The sophomore tossed 8.0 innings, allowing just five hits on the day. Moore surrendered two runs on two hits in the bottom of the first inning before keeping the Bears scoreless for the remainder of the game. The righthander struck out eight batters on the day, just three shy of his career high, while issuing just a pair of walks.

Offensively, the Ospreys outhit the Bears, 7-to-5, but left seven runners on base. North Florida put the potential tying run on base several times, but were unable to plate the runner.

Paul Karmeris led UNF with a pair of hits. The junior also was hit by a pitch to reach base three times on the day. Alex Bacon, T.J. Gavlik, Joe Iorio, Andrew Karmeris and Joe Wielbruda each had one hit apiece in the game with Bacon's going for extra bases. Bacon scored the Ospreys' only run of the day, while Drew Weeks drove home the only RBI.

Mercer was the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. The leadoff batter Evan Boyd hit a high ball into left field that dropped just inside the line in fair territory. Weeks had a good angle on the ball, but slipped and fell because of the wet field conditions, allowing the runner to reach second with a double. The Bears moved the runner with a sacrifice bunt. Boyd came around to score on a sacrifice fly to right field for the first run of the game. Austin Barrett followed with a solo home run to left center field to give the hosts an early 2-0 advantage.

North Florida looked to respond in the top of the second inning. With one out, A. Karmeris singled up the middle to start things off for the Ospreys. P. Karmeris came through with a two-out single through the left side of the infield to give UNF a pair of base runners. North Florida was unable to score a run as a fielder's choice ended the threat.

Following a 1-2-3 inning by Moore, the Ospreys once again threatened in the top of the third inning. Gavlik led off the inning with a single through the left side of the infield. Iorio, who entered the game for Wielbruda who was injured in the first inning attempting to steal second base, laced an infield single to short, giving the Ospreys a pair of base runners. The two runners advanced a base on a groundout. With two outs and the tying run on second base, the Bears used an excellent defensive play by third baseman Chesny Young to end the inning without a run scored.

Mercer threatened to add some insurance runs in the bottom of a crazy third inning. With one out, the Bears used a walk to start off the inning. The runner looked to have stolen second base, but the batter was called out for interference, sending the runner back to first base. Moore worked the count full on the next batter who lifted a fly ball to left field. Weeks settled under what looked to be the third out of the inning. The umpires moved the runner to second and put the batter back in the batter's box as a balk was called. The next pitch was outside for the second walk of the inning. With two on and two outs, Moore ended the inning and any possibility of any insurance runs with a strikeout.

North Florida chipped into the Mercer lead with a run in the top of the seventh inning. With one out, Bacon doubled down the left field line. P. Karmeris followed with a single into shallow left field, leaving the Ospreys with runners on the corners. Weeks hit a ball to short and the Bears tried to turn a double play, but Weeks beat the throw to first base for an RBI fielder's choice. The Ospreys were unable to score the tying run in the inning, but cut the deficit in half, 2-1.

Neither team was able to score in the final two innings of play with the Bears earning the one-run victory.

North Florida is scheduled to return home for the final midweek game of the season again USF on Tuesday afternoon. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be FREE to all fans for Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day! Live stats, ASun.TV and in-game Tweets (@UNFOspreys) will be available throughout the game.