Boxscore
 
MOBILE, Ala. – On a windy day in Mobile, Ala., the University of North Florida baseball team was edged 9-8 by South Alabama in the series finale of a three-game set at Eddie Stanky Field. The Ospreys battled the win and fell behind early, but rallied to take the lead. The Jaguars responded and North Florida was unable to overcome the deficit, dropping the one-run decision.
 
The Ospreys fell to 11-5 overall, while the Jaguars improved to 14-3.
 
North Florida scored eight runs on 12 hits on the day, including seven extra base hits. Alex Bacon, Paul Karmeris, Tyler Marincov and Joe Wielbruda each had two hits apiece on the day. Bacon, P. Karmeris, Drew Weeks and Donnie Dewees each had a double apiece, while Wielbruda chipped in a pair of two-baggers. Marincov hit his fourth triple of the season – a two-RBI triple to right center field in the top of the third inning. P. Karmeris tied Marincov with a pair of RBI, while Marincov and Dewees each scored two runs each.
 
On the mound, the Ospreys used three pitchers in the game. Nick Allbritton earned the start, surrendering six runs on eight hits in 2.0 innings of work. The senior struck out one with no walks. He gave way to Evan Incinelli, who gave up a pair of runs on two hits and a pair of walks in 0.1 inning of work.
 
Michael Renner closed out the game for North Florida. The senior tossed 5.2 innings of relief, allowing one unearned run on five hits and a walk, while adding a strikeout.
 
South Alabama was the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating three runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Jaguars led off the inning with back-to-back doubles to center field to score the first run of the game. The balls went over the head of the Ospreys center fielder thanks to winds gusting in excess of 35 miles per hour. With one out, South Alabama used a third double of the inning to score the second run of the inning. The final run of the inning came across on an RBI groundout to the shortstop.
 
North Florida responded in the top of the third inning. Nick Karmeris led off the inning with a single up the middle. Bacon followed with a single just past the dirt at second base. The runners advanced a base thanks to a sacrifice bunt by Wielbruda. Weeks doubled to right field to score the first run of the game for the Ospreys. Marincov tied the game at 3-3 with a two-RBI triple to right center field. North Florida took the lead with an RBI groundout by Ryan Roberson. Dewees reached second base on a fielding error by South Alabama. He came around to score on an RBI double by P. Karmeris, giving the Ospreys a 5-3 advantage.
 
In the bottom of the third inning, the Jaguars regained the lead with five runs on five hits. USA led off the inning with back-to-back singles. South Alabama's Nolan Early gave the home team the lead with a three-run home run to left field. After a pitching change, the inning continued with a single and a walk. The Ospreys recorded the first out on a pop up to the pitcher on a failed sacrifice bunt attempt. A walk loaded the bases with just one out. A single to right center field scored the lead runner and the Jaguars scored the final run of the inning on an RBI groundout to first base to make the score 8-5 after three complete innings of play.
 
The Ospreys chipped into the Jaguars lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth inning. Marincov led off the inning with a single to right center field. Roberson was hit by a pitch to give North Florida a pair of base runners. Dewees reached base on a fielder's choice that left UNF with runners on the corners. P. Karmeris scored Marincov from third base with an RBI single through the right side of the infield. With two outs, N. Karmeris reached base on a fielder's choice. On the play, the Jaguars committed a throwing error that allowed Dewees to score and cut the margin to 8-7.
 
USA added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first, the Jaguars used a wild pitch and a fielding error by the Ospreys to score a run and increase their advantage to 9-7.
 
UNF attempted to rally in the final innings. Corbin Olmstead pinch hit in the top of the eighth inning and singled to left center field to start off the inning for UNF. The freshman moved into scoring position on a wild pitch and came around to score on an RBI double by Bacon. The Ospreys were able to advance Bacon to third base with a groundout, but were unable to tie the game in the eighth inning. The Ospreys sat the Jaguars down in order in the bottom of the eighth inning, but were unable to complete the rally in the ninth inning.
 
North Florida continues the season with a pair of midweek games against Savannah State. The Ospreys host the Tigers on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. On Wednesday, North Florida travels to Savannah, Ga. to take on Savannah State at 6:00 p.m.