Ospreys Drop Midweek Game to Gators

Tuesday, March 19

Gainesville, Fla.

7:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

15-7

Florida

10-12

North Florida

Florida

Photo by: Todd Drexler

3/19/2013 10:08:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

Boxscore

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team opened up a five-game road swing with a 9-4 loss to the University of Florida on Tuesday night at McKethan Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Corey Bass had a career night as the senior catcher finished a double away from hitting for the cycle.

Bass finished the night 3-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI. The Orlando native started the night with a solo home run to right field. The home run was Bass' second of the season and the sixth of his career. After a fly ball to right field, Bass singled to left field in his third at bat. In his final at bat, the senior drove a ball to straight away center field that got over the outfielder's head for his first collegiate triple to finish a double shy of hitting for the cycle.

Bass' three hits led the Ospreys' offense, which finished the game with 10 hits. Kyle Brooks and Donnie Dewees each had a pair of hits on the night. Paul Karmeris had UNF's only other extra base hit – a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning. Bass and P. Karmeris led the team with two RBI apiece, while Bass, Brooks, Dewees and Corbin Olmstead each scored a run on the night.

On the mound, North Florida used seven pitchers. The Ospreys allowed nine runs on nine hits, seven walks and three hit batters. The pitching staff combined for four strikeouts on the night.

Starting pitcher David Trexler took the loss on the night. The junior college transfer allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in 2.0 innings of work, while striking out one. Olmstead posted the longest outing of the night for the Ospreys, tossing 2.2 innings of scoreless baseball with a team-high three strikeouts. Jamie Cardwell threw an inning, allowing two runs, while Ryan McMahon, Spencer Herrmann and Marshal Rosenberger each pitched 0.2 apiece. Trey Ferrano threw 0.1 innings.

Florida was the first team to scratch the scoreboard, plating a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. With one out, the Gators used a single for their first base runner of the game. The runner tried to steal, but Bass threw the runner out for the second out of the inning. Following a walk, Florida's Justin Shafer put the home team on the scoreboard with a two-run home run to left field.

Trailing 2-0 in the top of the third innings, North Florida cut the deficit in half with one swing. With one out, Bass lifted a pitch over the right field fence for his second home run of the season. The solo homer cut the UF lead to 2-1.

The Ospreys threatened in the top of the fourth inning. Tyler Marincov led off the inning with a walk and Dewees followed with a single. North Florida was unable to advance the runners as Florida retired the next three batters in order.

The Gators increased their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. UF's Taylor Gushue led off the inning with a solo home run to left field to increase the Florida advantage to 3-1. Back-to-back hit batters combined with a single loaded the bases for the Gators. Olmstead, who entered the game to pitch following the hit batters, recorded the first out of the inning on a strikeout. UF used a sacrifice fly to center field to score the lead runner and take a 4-1 lead. Olmstead closed out the inning with his second strikeout of the inning.

North Florida cut into the lead in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, Dewees singled to start things off for the Ospreys. Olmstead followed with a single to shallow center field. With two on and two outs, P. Karmeris plated the runners with a two-RBI double to left center field, cutting the deficit to 4-3.

Florida increased its lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Gators used a walk and a single to place a pair of base runners aboard. UF advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt. After a pitching change, Florida used a wild pitch to score the lead runner. A double down the right field line scored the second runner. The Ospreys used a groundout to the pitcher and a pop up to third base to end the inning down 6-3.

The Gators added three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. UF scored three runs on two hits and were aided by three walks, a hit batter and a UNF wild pitch. The Ospreys ended the inning with a double play, preventing any more runs from crossing the plate.

The Ospreys trimmed the lead in the top of the ninth inning. With two outs, Brooks singled through the right side of the infield to place a runner on base. Bass drove the ball over the center fielder's head, legging out his first collegiate triple. Brooks scored on the play, cutting the Gators lead to 9-4. The Ospreys would get no closer as a line out ended the game.

North Florida will look to rebound as it continues the road trip with a midweek game against Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla. First pitch at Moores-Kittles Field is slated for 3:00 p.m. Live stats and in-game tweets (@OspreyBSB) will be available during the game.