Boxscore
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team trailed 5-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning and the Ospreys managed to score three runs in the eighth and a run in the ninth, but left the tying run on base as Mercer claimed a 5-4 decision in the opener of a three-game Atlantic Sun Conference series at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
Trailing 5-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Ospreys mounted a comeback.
Donnie Dewees singled to second base to start off the inning for North Florida.
Ryan Roberson followed with a single to center field. The two base runners advanced on a wild pitch to give UNF a pair of runners in scoring position. With one out,
Drew Weeks loaded the bases with a four-pitch walk. With the bases loaded, pinch hitter
Spencer Herrmann delivered a two-out double to left center field to trim the deficit to 5-3.
The rally continued in the ninth inning.
Paul Karmeris led off the inning by reaching second base on a fielding error by the Mercer center fielder. P. Karmeris advanced to third base on a groundout. Dewees singled through the right side of the infield to score P. Karmeris and trim the Bears' lead to 5-4. Dewees moved into scoring position on a groundout, but would be left stranded as a third groundout of the inning ended the game.
Offensively, North Florida registered 11 hits in the game with only one extra base hit. Dewees,
Corbin Olmstead, Roberson and
Joe Wielbruda each had a pair of base hits, while Herrmann's double was the only extra base hit of the night. Herrmann led the team with three RBI with Dewees adding a run batted in. Dewees, P. Karmeris, Roberson and Weeks each scored a run on the night.
The Ospreys were unable to capitalize on opportunities throughout the game. UNF left 11 batters on base in the game, including seven runners in scoring position.
On the mound,
Tommy Organ took the loss for the Ospreys. The senior tossed 6.2 innings, scattering six hits. Organ allowed five runs, but only three earned runs as UNF committed a pair of errors. The south paw struck out four batters but was hurt by four walks.
Ryan McMahon and
Jamie Cardwell combined to work the final 2.1 innings. McMahon worked 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out two, while Cardwell surrendered one hit in 0.2 innings with a strikeout.
Mercer was the first team to score, plating a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. With one out, the Bears used a walk and a double to score the first run of the game. With two outs, Mercer used an RBI single to center field to take an early 2-0 lead.
The Bears added a run in the top of the fourth inning. The leadoff batter drew a walk to start things off for Mercer. The runner moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. The Bears used a two-out double down the left field line to push their advantage to 3-0.
Mercer added its final two runs in the top of the sixth inning. With one out, the Bears used a single and a throwing error by the Ospreys to place a runner in scoring position. The Ospreys appeared to have the second out of the inning, but a dropped fly ball resulted in a run scored and a runner on third base. Mercer used a safety squeeze to score the runner and take a 5-0 lead.
The game remained 5-0 until the eighth inning when the Ospreys rallied for three runs. The comeback fell just short as North Florida was only able to score one run in the final inning.
North Florida and Mercer will continue the series on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. Live stats, live audio and in-game tweets (@OspreyBSB) will be available throughout the game. In addition, Saturday's game will be Ozzie the Osprey's birthday with festivities happening throughout.
