Boxscore (Game 1)
Boxscore (Game 2)
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team split a doubleheader with crosstown rival Jacksonville University on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium to claim a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series, 2-1. The Dolphins claimed game one, 6-1, with the Ospreys earning a come from behind walk-off victory in game two, 5-4.
 
With the series tied at one game apiece and the score tied in the bottom of the eighth inning of a scheduled seven-inning contest, senior T.J. Gavlik led off the inning with a strikeout, but was able to advance all the way to second on a wild pitch that rolled all the way to the backstop. The Jacksonville catcher picked up the loose ball and his throw to second was off the mark allowing the speedy Gavlik to reach third on the error. With no outs and a runner on third, JU brought the infield in to try to prevent the winning run to score. Ryan Roberson drove home Gavlik with an RBI single up the middle to give the Ospreys a 5-4 victory and claim the series 2-1.
 
Offensively, North Florida combined for 20 hits on the day, including a home run, a triple and two doubles. Corey Bass led all Osprey starters, batting .571 on the day in a 4-for-7 effort. Bass doubled, was hit by a pitch and drove in a run. Spencer Herrmann recorded three hits on the day, playing in just the second game of the twin bill. Gavlik, Andrew Karmeris, Tyler Marincov and Roberson each finished the day with multiple hits. Gavlik scored a team-best two runs on the day, while Roberson drove in a team-high three RBI.
 
On the mound, the Ospreys used four pitchers on the day. Michael Renner took the loss in game one. The junior tossed 3.1 innings, allowing five runs on nine hits. He did not issue a walk while striking out three. Renner gave way to Tommy Organ, who allowed one run on a pair of hits and two walks including an intentional walk. Senior Chandler Jagodzinski tossed the final 5.2 innings, marking a career high. The sidearm pitcher did not allow a run or a walk, scattering four base hits with three strikeouts to his credit.
 
In game two, Tyler Moore tossed his third complete game of the season. The right-hander allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks. He recorded eight strikeouts in 8.0 innings of work. Moore notched four 1-2-3 innings in his eight innings of work.
 
Game 1 Recap
In game one, the Dolphins scored six runs in just a pair of innings to claim a 6-1 victory over the Ospreys. JU out-hit UNF, 15-to-8, in the game; however, the Ospreys finished the game with a pair of doubles and a triple. Bass and Joe Iorio each had a double in the game, while senior Michael Wesner hit his team-leading fourth triple of the season. Senior Evan Stermer finished the game with a hit and also reached base on a walk.
 
Jacksonville scored first with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Back-to-back singles started the inning for the Dolphins, however, on the second single, the Ospreys were able to throw out the runner trying to stretch the hit into a double, leaving the visitors with a runner on third. The first run of the game was scored on a RBI groundout to the shortstop. With two outs and no one on base, JU's All-American Adam Brett Walker hit a solo home run to center field to put Jacksonville in front 2-0.
 
The Dolphins increased their advantage to 6-0 with a four-run fourth inning. Jacksonville scored four runs on five hits and a pair of walks, but the Ospreys ended the inning with their conference-leading 57th double play of the season.
 
The Ospreys cut into the lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Marincov singled to center field to give UNF a base runner. Wesner laced a RBI triple off of the right field wall to score Marincov and cut the deficit to 6-1.
 
North Florida was unable to plate any more runs in the first game, evening the series at one game apiece.
 
Game 2 Recap
In the second game, which was scheduled for seven innings, the Ospreys collected five runs on 12 hits to edge out the Dolphins in extra innings and claim the series. Herrmann finished the game with three hits, while Bass and Roberson added two hits apiece. Roberson drove home three of the Ospreys' runs, while Gavlik led the team with two runs scored.
 
For the second game in a row, Jacksonville was the first to score, plating a run in the first inning in game two. With two outs, Walker singled up the middle and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. He came around to score on a Dan Gulbransen RBI single.
 
The lead was short-lived for the Dolphins as North Florida responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Gavlik started the inning with a single through the right side of the infield. Roberson drove a 2-1 pitch over the left field wall to put the Ospreys in front. The home run was Roberson's fifth of the season, giving UNF a 2-1 advantage after one inning of play.
 
The Ospreys added a run in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs, Alex Bacon singled to left field. Garrick Ferguson followed with a single to shallow center field. Herrmann loaded the bases with an infield single to short. Bass was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Bacon, pushing the lead to 3-1.
 
JU's duo of Walker and Gulbransen cut into the UNF lead in the top of the fourth inning. Walker singled up the middle with one out and came around to score on a RBI double by Gulbransen to right field.
 
Jacksonville took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. The Dolphins' Jonathan Murphy singled up the middle and stole second and third to move into scoring position. Walker singled up the middle to score Murphy and tie the score at 3-3. Walker stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. Back-to-back walks, including an intentional walk, loaded the bases. Moore used a strikeout to record the second out of the inning, but the third walk of the inning scored the go-ahead run.
 
North Florida responded with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning. A. Karmeris led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bacon. With two outs, Herrmann singled to right field to score A. Karmeris, tying the game at 4-4, forcing extra innings.
 
The Ospreys were able to score the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gavlik struck out but was able to reach base on a wild pitch, advancing all the way to third base. On the play, Gavlik moved to third on an errant throw by the Dolphins. Roberson wasted little time, singling up the middle on the second pitch he saw to give North Florida a 5-4 victory.
 
North Florida finished the 2012 season 31-24 overall and 12-15 in Atlantic Sun Conference play. In the Ospreys' seven year Division I history, UNF has now won 30 or more games three times. The Ospreys finished the season with a 17-9 record at Harmon Stadium, marking the 23rd time in 25 seasons with a winning record at home. With their two victories over JU in baseball, the final SunTrust River City Rumble Standings are North Florida 13, Jacksonville 7.
 
Prior to the doubleheader, the Ospreys honored their five seniors – Gavlik, Jagodzinski, A. Karmeris, Stermer and Wesner – for their efforts over the past few years.