Position Preview: Infielders And Utility Players
2/5/2026 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
With a mix of eight returners, four transfers and three freshmen, this year's squad provides the foundation for both offensive consistency and stability on defense across the diamond.
Jonathan Acosta
Hometown:Â Miami, Fla.
Position:Â INF
Bats/Throws:Â L/R
Class:Â Freshman
Height: 6-1
Weight:Â 170
High School:Â Miami Killian
HIGH SCHOOL
Acosta played at Miami Killian High School in Miami, Fla. ...  Ranked the No. 53 shortstop in Florida in the 2025 class … Led Miami Killian with 22 RBI, five doubles and one triple in his senior season … Posted a team-high .383 batting average and a .495 on-base percentage in 2025 … Led the team in RBI with 16 in his junior year.
Mitchell Collins
Hometown:Â Omaha, Neb.
Position:Â INF
Bats/Throws:Â L/R
Class: Junior
Height: 5-11
Weight:Â 189
High School / Previous School:Â Creighton Prep / Kentucky State
CAREER HONORS
2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (SOPHOMORE)
Collins played in 54 games with 51 starts and 179 at-bats … Ranked top-five on the team with 72 total bases, 55 hits, 39 walks, 32 runs, 28 RBI, 11 doubles, a .428 on-base percentage and a .307 batting average … Led the team with 16 stolen bases in 17 attempts … Belted two home runs and tallied an .830 OPS and .402 slugging … Led the team with 112 assists and 28 double-plays … Registered a .947 fielding percentage … Recorded 12 multi-hit games, six games with three hits or more and had one game with four hits …  Had four RBI in a 3-5 outing with two runs and two doubles against Florida A&M on March 11 ...  Went 4-6 with two RBI against West Georgia on Apr. 19. and belted two home runs against Stetson on April 25 … Scored three runs in a 2-2 outing with a double against Alabama State on March 7 … Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
2024 (FRESHMAN – KENTUCKY STATE)
Collins played in 47 games with 45 starts and 163 at-bats … Led the team with 38 walks, 13 doubles, a .374 batting average … Ranked top-three on the team with 86 total bases, 61 hits, 46 runs, 40 RBI, a .493 on-base percentage and a 1.021 OPS … Ranked top-five on the team with four home runs and .528 slugging … Led the team with 102 assists and 12 double-plays.
HIGH SCHOOL
Collins played for Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha, Neb.
PERSONAL
Collins' cousin, Troy McGirt, plays baseball at Elon … His favorite baseball player is Michael Brantley.
WHY UNF?
"It's a great opportunity to play at the highest level under some of the best coaches in the country. The coaches care and I see myself developing into a better player."
Mathew Farner
Hometown:Â Winter Park, Fla.
Position:Â INF
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Junior
Height: 6-1
Weight:Â 195
High School / Previous School: Winter Park / Northwest Florida State College / Rollins
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
2025 (SOPHOMORE – NORTHWEST FLORIDA COLLEGE)
Farner played in 58 total games with 149 at bats over two seasons at Northwest Florida College … Posted 35 hits, 27 RBI, 22 walks, 13 extra base hits, five home runs, a .425 on-base percentage and a .389 slugging percentage ... In 2025, Farner played in a career high 30 games with 90 at bats … Posted career highs with 21 hits, 16 RBI, three doubles and three home runs last season … Tallied 15 walks, a .431 on-base percentage, a .233 batting average and a .367 slugging percentage in 2025.
Drew Buchanan
Hometown:Â Jupiter, Fla.
Position:Â INF
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Freshman
Height:Â 6-3
Weight:Â 205
High School: The Benjamin School
HIGH SCHOOL
Buchanan played at The Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla. ... Ranked the No. 46 shortstop in Florida in 2025 … Competed for the 2025 Dodgers Scout team … Totaled 82 games played, 248 plate appearances and 201 at bats in four seasons on The Benjamin School's varsity team … Posted a .373 career batting average, .458 slugging percentage with 75 total hits, 61 runs, 37 RBI, 12 doubles one triple, one home run from 2022-25 … Totaled 28 walks with a .474 career on-base percentage … His sophomore season was his best, raking for a .519 batting average in 69 plate appearances over 20 games … Notched career highs with 28 hits, 10 walks, a .603 on-base percentage and a .574 slugging percentage as a sophomore.
Cal Leonard
Hometown:Â Jacksonville, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â L/R
Class:Â Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-2
Weight:Â 205
High School Bishop Kenny
CAREER HONORS
2023-24, 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (SOPHOMORE)
Leonard played in four games and posted a .333 batting average, .500 on-base percentage and a .833 OPS … Notched one hit, one walk and one RBI in three at bats.
2024 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN)
Leonard played in three games and posted two walks … Made his collegiate debut against USF on March 5 ... Named to the 2023-24 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
2023 (FRESHMAN)
Leonard redshirted his freshman season at North Florida ... Named to the 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Leonard was a Three-year varsity letterwinner at Bishop Kenny HS in Jacksonville, Florida … Also lettered in football and basketball for the Crusaders … Won a pair of district championships with BK … Hit over .300 with a .420 on-base percentage as a junior.
PERSONAL
Leonard is the son of Kara and Eddie Leonard … Has one brother, Michael … Grandfather played basketball at Mount St. Mary's … Grandfather played football at Colgate … Favorite baseball player is Cal Ripken Jr. … Majoring in construction management.
WHY UNF?
"UNF felt like home the second I stepped on the campus. The coaching staff showed great hospitality throughout the recruiting process and I felt like it was the best place for me and my future."
Santiago Ordonez
Hometown:Â Parkland, Fla.Â
Position:Â C
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Senior
Height:Â 5-9
Weight:Â 175
High School / Previous School:Â Marjory Stoneman Douglas / State College of Florida / Florida State
CAREER HONORS
2025 ASUN Third Team All-Conference
2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2024 Florida College System Activities Association First Team All-Conference
2025 (JUNIOR)
Ordonez played in 44 games and started in 37 … Named a 2025 ASUN Third Team All-Conference honoree ... Led the team with 262 put outs and 12 runners caught stealing … Ranked top five on the team with a .979 fielding percentage … Posted 32 hits, 12 RBI, 12 runs, six doubles and two home runs … Tallied .254 batting average, .377 on-base percentage and .349 slugging … Notched 15 walks and a .715 OPS … Registered two hits or more in nine games … Recorded a hit in five of North Florida's first six games of the season … Posted two hits in four straight games from at Queens on March 22 to against Florida Gulf Coast on March 28 … Went 3-for-3 with one double and one RBI … Had a 2-for-3 outing with two RBI, one home run and one double against Florida Gulf Coast on March 28 ... Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
2024 (SOPHOMORE - STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA)
Ordonez played in 46 games … Earned Florida College System Activities Association First Team First Team All-Conference honors … Posted 51 hits, 38 runs, 30 walks, 22 RBI, nine doubles and four home runs … .Tallied a .336 batting average, .474 on-base percentage and .474 slugging … Notched two hits or more in 14 games and three hits or more in six games … Went 4-for-6 with one double at Tallahassee Community College on Feb. 9.
2023 (FRESHMAN - FLORIDA STATE)
Ordonez started his collegiate career at Florida State and redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL
Ordonez played for Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school in Parkland, Fla. … Hit .400 throughout high school … Two-time first team all-state … Hit a walk-off home run in the regional final to advance to state postseason play.
PERSONAL
Ordonez is the son of Gineska and Andres Ordonez … Has two siblings, Andrea and Miguel … Born in Coral Springs, Fla. … Majoring in sport management.
WHY UNF?
"I felt pursued by the coaches, it felt like the right opportunity and seemed like home."
Eric Fouraker
Hometown:Â Bryceville, Fla.
Position:Â C
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Senior
Height:Â 6-1
Weight:Â 228
High School:Â Trinity Christian Academy
CAREER HONORS
2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (JUNIOR)
Fouraker played in 37 games with 15 starts  ... Posted 12 hits, 10 runs, 10 RBI, four walks, four stolen bases, three doubles and two home runs ... Notched a .255 batting average, .375 on-base percentage, .447 slugging and an .822 OPS ... Tallied two multi-hit games ... Ranked top five on the team with 165 chances 141 putouts behind the dish ... Ranked sixth on the team with a .952 fielding percentage ... Went 2-for-5 with three RBI and a home run while recording 12 putouts at West Georiga on April 19 ... Belted a home run in a 1-for-3 outing with two RBI at Florida Gulf Coast on May 3 ... Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
2024 (SOPHOMORE)
Fouraker played in 28 games with 14 starts ... Posted nine hits, five RBI, four runs, three walks and two doubles ... Tallied a career-high 16 putouts against Florida Gulf Coast on May 17 ... Went 1-for-3 against Dartmouth on March 1 ... Notched a 1-for-3 game with a double, triple and a walk against Wofford on April 10 ... Doubled and notched an RBI at Kennesaw Sate on May 3 ... Named to the 2023-24 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.Â
2023 (FRESHMAN)
Fouraker played in 10 games, either behind the dish or as a pinch hitter ... Made his North Florida debut and went 2-for-3 with a home run against USC Upstate on Feb. 22 ... Made his first career start against Fordham on March 5 ... Notched a 1.000 fielding percentage across 10 games ... Named to the 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.Â
HIGH SCHOOL
Fouraker played at Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla. ... Lettered in every season of high school at Trinity Christian Academy ... Helped TCA reach the state semifinals in 2019 ... Coached by Gil Morales and Jonathan Murphy throughout his high school career ... Three-year National Junior Honor Society student ... National Junior Honor Society student as a freshman ...  Three years on the president's list ... "All A's" honor roll for three years.
PERSONAL
Fouraker is the son of Kimberly and Eric Fouraker ... Has one sister, Kayla ... Favorite baseball player is J.T. Realmuto ... Majoring in construction management.
WHY UNF?
"I chose UNF because it is a great school, it is affordable, close to home and Division I."
Beau Rurey
Hometown:Â Boynton Beach, Fla.
Position:Â C
Bats/Throws:Â L/R
Class:Â Freshman
Height:Â 5-11
Weight:Â 195
High School:Â St. John Neumann
HIGH SCHOOL
Rurey played at St. John Neumann High School in Naples, Fla. ... Ranked the No. 53 catcher in Florida in the 2025 class … Belted four home runs and threw for a 45 CS% as a senior in 2025 ... Played in 29 games with 92 at bats and 110 plate appearances as a junior … Recorded a 7.04 60-yard dash … Posted 26 hits, 15 RBI, 13 runs, two doubles, two triples and one home run in his junior season … Worked 14 walks and a .385 on-base percentage and struck out just 17 times in 111 plate appearances in 2024 … Notched a .765 OPS and .380 slugging as a junior.
Seth Alford
Hometown:Â Jacksonville, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Sophomore
Height:Â 5-11
Weight:Â 185
High School:Â St. Johns Country Day School
CAREER HONORS
2025 ASUN All-Freshman Team
2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (FRESHMAN)
Alford played in 48 games with 38 starts and 142 at-bats ... Earned a 2025 ASUN All-Freshman Team nod ... Ranked top-five on the team with 74 total bases, 30 RBI, 11 doubles, an .870 OPS and .521 slugging … Led the team with nine home runs … Posted 34 hits, 23 runs, 17 walks, a .357 on-base percentage and a .256 batting average … Turned 20 double-plays and tallied 86 assists … Recorded 10 multi-hit games and had three hits in three different games … Registered a career-high five RBI in a 2-4 outing against Queens on May 10 ...  Went 3-5 and belted two home runs against Stetson on April 25 … Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Alford played for St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park, Fla. … Posted a .314 batting average and seven home runs as a senior … Went 3-3 with three RBI in the 2024 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state semifinals.
PERSONAL
Alford is the son of Michelle and Brian Alford … Has one sibling, Darrik … Born in Jacksonville, Fla. … Majoring in business finance.
WHYÂ UNF?
"I felt that it was right for me. I love the coaching staff and it's close to home. Coach Mercadante has been super down to earth with me and I'm thankful to have a head coach like that."
Boone Hosey
Hometown:Â Tallahassee, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Redshirt Junior
Height:Â 6-1
Weight:Â 205
High School / Previous School: Florida State University School / Tallahassee State College
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
2025 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE - TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGE)
Hosey played in 38 games with 130 at bats in 2025 … Posted career highs with 44 hits, 31 runs, nine home runs, a .338 batting average and a .615 slugging percentage last season … Tallied a .538 batting average in games that Seminole State College won (12) in 2025 … Notched 19 walks en route to a .438 on-base percentage … Registered 29 RBI, seven doubles, one triple and stole four bases last season.
2024 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN - TALLAHASSEE STATE COLLEGE)
Hosey played in 46 games with 129 at bats in 2024 … That same season, posted 41 hits, 30 runs, three home runs, a .318 batting average and a .465 slugging percentage … Tallied career high 36 RBI in 2024 … Notched career highs with 39 walks and a .473 on-base percentage … Registered 29 RBI, seven doubles, one triple and stole four bases in 2024 … Earned a 2023 Second Team All-Panhandle Conference selection … Named 2023 Tallahassee State College Athletics Male Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL
Hosey's father, Jason, played baseball at Jefferson Davis … Favorite sports team is the Boston Red Sox.
Finn Howell
Hometown:Â Jacksonville, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight:Â 187
High School St. Johns Country Day
CAREER HONORS
2024-25, 2023-24, 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (JUNIOR)
Howell played in 17 games and made nine starts … Posted a .216 batting average, .378 slugging, .237 on-base percentage and a .615 OPS … Tallied eight hits, three runs, three doubles, two RBI and one home run in 37 at bats … Notched five assists against Jacksonville on March 14 ... Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
2024 (SOPHOMORE)
Howell played in 34 games and made 27 starts … Posted a .233 batting average, .267 slugging and a .632 OPS … Tallied 20 hits, 13 runs, 12 walks, eight RBI and three doubles … Notched a season-best six game hitting streak from May 10-17 … Went 2-4 with three runs at Bellarmine on March 29 … Posted a 2-3 game with one run, one RBI and one double against Lipscomb on April 13 … Was 2-4 with one run, one RBI and one double at Jacksonville on April 21 … Went 2-5 with one run at North Alabama on May 12 ... Named to the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
2023 (FRESHMAN)
Howell played in 19 games and made six starts … Made his collegiate debut in the season-opener against Murray State on Feb. 17 … Appeared on the mound seven times and tallied 28 plate appearances while primarily playing third base … Took the hill for the first time on Feb. 22 in a midweek game against USC Upstate … Worked a season-long two innings in two separate games … Notched a save against Fordham on March 4, needing just one pitch to secure the victory … Had three multi-hit games … Posted his first hit and first two RBI of his career against Murray State on Feb. 18 ... Named to the ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Howell played for St. Johns Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla. … Played on the varsity team since eighth grade … Won district titles in 2019, 2020 and 2021 … Won the 2021 regional title … 2021 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Runner-Up … All-conference honoree at St. Johns Country Day each season from 2018-2021 … 2020-21 Preseason All-American.
PERSONAL
Howell is the son of Erin and Tony Howell … Has one sibling, Ethan … National Junior Honor Society member, earning Summa Cum Laude honors … Majoring in engineering.
WHY UNF?
"I get to stay close to home in a great baseball environment and I'm excited to develop under a great coaching staff while studying engineering."
Jackson Toberman
Hometown:Â Naples, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Redshirt Junior
Height:Â 6-3
Weight:Â 210
High School / Previous School:Â Seacrest Country Day / Gaston / St. Johns River State College
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDA
2025 (SOPHOMORE – GASTON COLLEGE)
Toberman played in 42 games with 126 at bats … Posted career highs with 46 hits, 40 RBI, 35 runs, 10 doubles and four home runs … Tallied career highs with a .365 batting average and a .556 slugging percentage … Notched career highs with 15 walks and a .450 on-base percentage … Stole three bases … Struck out just 14 times in 126 at bats … Registered a .439 batting average in 22 home games and a .390 batting average during 18 games in February.
Jackson Schrafft
Hometown:Â Milton, Ga.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class:Â Redshirt Junior
Height:Â 6-5
Weight:Â 225
High School / Previous School: Cambridge / St. Johns River State College
PRIOR TO NORTH FLORIDAÂ
2025 (SOPHOMORE - ST. JOHNS RIVER STATE)
Schrafft played in 30 games with 90 at bats as a sophomore at St. Johns River State College … Posted career-highs with 21 hits, 16 RBI, 15 walks, three doubles and three home runs ... Tallied a .233 batting average and a .431 on-base percentage with .389 slugging.
Connor Witherington
Hometown:Â Birmingham, Ala.
Position:Â INF
Bats/Throws:Â R/R
Class: Redshirt Junior
Height:Â 6-0
Weight:Â 205
High School: Vestavia Hills
CAREER HONORS
2023-24, 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE)
Witherington played in seven games and started in one … Posted three RBI, two walks, two hits, two runs and one home run in eight at bats … Notched a 1.025 OPS, .625 slugging, a .400 on-base percentage and a .250 batting average.
2024 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN)
Witherington played in three games … Posted one double, one RBI and one run in four at bats … Notched a .750 OPS, .500 slugging, a .250 batting average and a .250 on-base percentage … Named to the 2023-24 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
2023 (FRESHMAN)
Witherington did not make an appearance and redshirted … Named to the 2022-23 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Witherington played at Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Ala. … Two-year varsity letterwinner … Reached 7A State Playoffs … Hit a home run in his first career varsity game … Also lettered in football.
PERSONAL
Witherington is the son of Charlene and Kevin Witherington … Has two siblings, Peyton and Ashley.
WHY UNF?
"It felt like a second home to me. The players I met there when I visited welcomed me with open arms and the coaches were even more welcoming. I know it was the right place for me."
Ty Velardo
Hometown:Â Jensen Beach, Fla.
Position:Â UTL
Bats/Throws:Â L/L
Class:Â Sophomore
Height:Â 6-0
Weight:Â 205
High School:Â Jensen Beach
CAREER HONORS
2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll
2025 (FRESHMAN)
Velardo played in 24 games with eight starts ... Posted six RBI, five hits, four walks, three runs and two home runs ... Tallied 45 putouts, helped turn four double plays and notched two assists in the field ... Belted home runs against Florida Gulf Coast on March 29 and against Bethune-Cookman on April 15 ... Registered career-high 11 putouts against Stetson on April 25 ... Recorded career-high two RBI in a 1-for-1 outing against Florida Gulf Coast on March 29 ... Named to the 2024-25 ASUN Academic Honor Roll.
HIGH SCHOOL
Velardo played high school baseball at Jensen Beach High School in Jensen Beach, Fla. ... Advanced to the state finals in 2022, hitting .550 in the state playoffs ... Went 3-for-3 and was a triple short of the cycle in the state quarterfinals.
PERSONAL
Velardo is the son of Karen and Frank Velardo ... Has two siblings, Domenick and Isabella ... Mother, Karen, was an All-American softball player and traveled to Australia with the US Olympic Softball Team ... Majoring in public health.
WHY UNF?
"I chose UNF because of the coaching staff. A new staff with Coach Mercadante having a desirable reputation makes me like this place is home for the next four years."
