JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - UNF scored three in the first, three in the ninth and got the tying run to second base in the final frame, but Rutgers (3-3) held off UNF's late surge as North Florida (2-4) fell, 7-6, in the series finale Sunday, Feb. 23.
Runners left on base loomed large as Rutgers pitchers stranded 11 Ospreys, including the three in the bottom of the eighth.
Rutgers 7, UNF 6
Pitchers of Record
Win:
Will Ohme (1-1)
Loss: Tevin Murray (1-1)
Line Scores
Rutgers | 7 R, 12 H, 0 E, 7 LOB
UNF | 6 R, 12 H, E, 11 LOB
Behind the Line Score
- Rutgers scored two two-out runs in the top of the first, both of which were unearned. Danny DiGeorgio walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on a bloop single to right from Chris Brito. Richie Schiekofer reached earlier on a fielder's choice and eventually scored from third after Brito drew a throw to second on a double steal.
- UNF bounced back to a 3-2 lead after a four-hit, three-run first. Grant Grodi singled, Tanner May was hit by a pitch, Blake Marabell singled and Raff Libunao plated Grodi on a fielder's choice. Another RBI groundout from Tanner Clark and an Abraham Sequera single through the left side completed the scoring.
- Rutgers tied it on a pair of doubles from Tim Dezzi and Victor Valderrama.
- RU scored two in the fourth. Brito tagged a solo home run to right center on a 1-2 count atop the fourth inning, putting Rutgers up, 4-3. Dezzi walked, reached second on a wild pitch and Andy Axelson flared a single down the right field line to score Dezzi.
- UNF had a good opportunity in the seventh, but Rutgers escaped harm. Grodi singled to right center, May laced a base hit through the left side but Rutgers induced a double play and a groundout to end the frame.
- Rutgers added two more in the eighth. Back-to-back singles, a hit batter followed by a single up the middle from Dezzi and a Welsh sac fly made it 7-3.
- Again UNF threatened, this time in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Rutgers coaxed a fielder's choice play at home and an inning-ending strikeout to end the frame with the bags loaded.
- May started UNF's ninth with a single that found space thanks to a Rutgers shift. Libunao laced a single up the box, as did Clark, scoring May. Sequera battled before rolling a grounder to DiGeorgio at short where it was misplayed. Trey Spratling-Williams casted a ball into left center that was caught by a diving Valderrama, scoring pinch runner Jered Geis. Ricky Presno was retired on strikes, stranding Sequera at second base.
Statistical Leaders
UNF
- Grodi | 3-for-5, R
- May | 3-for-4, 2 R
- Libunao | 2-for-5, RBI
- Miller | 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 K
Rutgers
- Brito | 3-for-3, R, RBI, HR
- Dezzi | 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, BB
- Murray | 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Notes
- It was Will Ohme's first career start.
- Grodi is on a six-game hitting streak to start the year.
- It was UNF's 31st game against Big Ten foes in school history.
- Sequera nearly had himself a two-run home run in the eighth, but a deep fly ball slicing down the right field line was called foul.
Up Next
UNF goes to Columbia, S.C., Tuesday to face the Gamecocks.