Boxscore
 
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team dropped a 4-3 decision in the final game of a three-game series against West Virginia at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. Despite the loss, the Ospreys won the overall series two games to one.
 
Offensively, the Ospreys notched three runs on nine hits. Donnie Dewees made his one hit of the day count as the freshman blasted a solo home run to right field. Spencer Herrmann and Drew Weeks each had a pair of base hits in the game. Dewees, Herrmann and Joe Wielbruda each scored runs, while Dewees and Wielbruda each drove in runs for the Ospreys.
 
On the mound, starting pitcher Nick Allbritton took the hard-luck loss for North Florida. The senior allowed just three runs on nine hits in 6.2 innings of work. He walked one batter, while striking out four. Michael Renner entered the game in relief of Allbritton. Renner tossed 1.1 innings allowing a run on three hits with no walks and a strikeout. Corbin Olmstead closed out the game for UNF, pitching the final inning allowing a hit and striking out a batter.
 
West Virginia was the first team to score, plating a run in the top of the third inning. With one out, WVU's Bobby Boyd doubled through the left side of the infield and advanced to third on a groundout. He came around to score on an RBI single by Jacob Rice to put the Mountaineers in front 1-0.
 
North Florida responded with a run in the bottom of the inning. With one out, Herrmann singled to center field. The sophomore stole second base to advance into scoring position. Wielbruda drove home Herrmann with a two-out single to left field to tie the score at 1-1.
 
The Mountaineers regained the lead in the fourth inning. Matt Frazer was hit by a pitch to begin the inning and a Billy Fleming single gave the visitors a pair of base runners with no outs. The Ospreys induced an out in foul territory, but the base runners were able to advance on the play. Brady Wilson followed with a two-RBI single to put WVU in front 3-1. Wilson was caught stealing by Bass – one of five base runners the Ospreys caught trying to steal. UNF ended the inning with groundout, but trailed by two.
 
The Ospreys chipped away at the Mountaineers lead with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Wielbruda was hit by a pitch to start off the inning. He advanced to second as Weeks singled through the left side. North Florida loaded the bases as Tyler Marincov was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded and no outs, West Virginia induced a double play. During the play, Wielbruda scored from third to cut the deficit to 3-2.
 
Leading by one, WVU added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Wilson led off the inning with a triple to right center field, just out of reach of a diving Marincov. The runner came around to score on a pinch-hit single by Alan Filauro. Filauro was caught stealing for the first out of the inning. The Ospreys ended the inning with a groundout and a strikeout, but trailed 4-2.
 
In the final inning, UNF tried to rally for the second consecutive day. With one out, Dewees hit the first home run of the season for the Ospreys – a solo shot to right field. The home run was the first of Dewees' career and pulled North Florida to within one at 4-3. With two outs, Nick Karmeris continued the inning with a pinch hit single to center field. Garrick Ferguson entered the game to pinch run for Karmeris. The Osprey rally fell short. Trying to move into scoring position, the UNF base runner was caught stealing, ending the game.
 
North Florida returns to action on Tuesday, Feb. 19, as the Ospreys travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. for a midweek game with in-state rival Bethune-Cookman. First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m.