The University of North Florida Ospreys lost their series against the Jacksonville University Dolphins over Spring Break.

The Ospreys didn’t go down without a fight, scoring 23 runs over the course of the series. Troy transfer Caiden Oliva made her second walk-off of the season during game two.

Game One v.s. Jacksonville Dolphins

The Ospreys played a strong defense in the first inning, ending the Dolphins’ turn after only four batters came up to the plate. The match started with JU’s impact player, Freshman outfielder Jaida Thomas, fouling out to second base. 

The next Dolphin up to the plate began setting up for an early lead, walking to first base. 

The Dolphins tried to capitalize on this, one hitting a double while the other tried to reach home, but they were unable to follow through as the Ospreys passed the ball from the center fielder to the second baseman and then to the catcher, getting the Dolphin out at home. 

Senior pitcher Kate Peters struck the last batter out, leaving the Dolphins with no runs in the first inning.

The Osprey didn’t have better luck during their turn, also ending the inning with no runs. This pattern continued for both teams until the Dolphins scored in the third inning.

At the top of the third inning, the Dolphins took a commanding lead. Their first batter doubled to left center field, then advanced to third base while the second batter singled to third. 

The second batter wasn’t done yet, stealing second base. Then, Thomas singled to the middle, letting the second batter advance to third while the first batter scored. 

Finally, Graduate catcher Sarah Beth Brake hit a homer to right-center field, allowing the Dolphins to score three additional points. 

At the bottom of the inning, the Ospreys attempted to put runs on the board, but came up short. The inning ended with the Ospreys down 4-0.

The Ospreys had a stronger defense and offense in the fourth inning, grounding out three batters before nearly tying up the game. Senior infielder Kelsey Vogel singled to left field, then advanced to second while redshirt Junior Kalyn McCarthy was grounded out. 

The Dolphins let Mercer transfer Hallie Langford walk to first, followed by Chattanooga State transfer Addie Keef, singling to the middle and letting Langford and Vogel move up to second and third base, respectively.

The Ospreys then began to slowly chip away at the Dolphins’ lead with Vogel, Langford and Keef scoring. The inning ended with the Ospreys shortening the gap 4-3.

The Dolphins tried to expand their lead in the fifth inning, with Thomas scoring another run for the team. However, the Ospreys weren’t done fighting yet, countering with two runs of their own. 

Neither team scored in the sixth and seventh innings, so the game went to the eighth inning with the Ospreys and Dolphins tied 5-5. 

The energy was palpable as the Dolphins took the game back, with Thomas hitting down the infield line, letting the Dolphins score two runs off on a hit. 

The Ospreys made an effort to catch up, with Georgia transfer Hannah Davila scoring a run, but it wasn’t enough. The game ended with JU winning 7-6.

Game Two

Coming off the prior day’s loss, the Ospreys snapped back, grounding out one batter and striking out two at the top of the first inning. The Ospreys then went on the offensive and took a dramatic lead.

Langford singled to third base and continued to steal second. Langford pushed on, advancing to third base as Keef was grounded out, and then scored a run as Florida Atlantic transfer Bella Cimino singled to the left side.

The Ospreys slowly set up for a major play as Oliva, Davila, and Sophomore outfielder Grace Shaw all singled. They made their way through the bases as Cimino scored another run for the Ospreys. 

Finally, Arizona State transfer Ayden Allen didn’t let her opportunity go to waste, hitting a home run. The Ospreys scored four runs in one hit, and they ended the inning up 0-6.

The Dolphins entered the second inning ready to even the score, scoring three runs and preventing the Ospreys from scoring.

The Dolphins continued to make progress in the third inning, scoring another run on a fielding error. The Ospreys, however, weren’t done yet and came ready to dominate.

Allen singled to right field, followed by Vogel and McCarthy. Then, Langford singled up the middle, and the Ospreys took advantage of the situation, with Allen and Vogel managing to score. 

The Ospreys continued to play to their advantages, sending Sophomore outfielder Kennedy McQuillan out to bat as a pinch hitter for Keef. 

McQuillan proceeded to double to center field, allowing McCarthy and Langford to score more runs. The third inning ended with the Ospreys re-expanding their lead 4-10.

In the fourth inning, both teams put up a strong defense, keeping each other from scoring.

The Ospreys made one last push to end the game in inning five, starting with striking out two dolphins and grounding out a third.

Then the Ospreys got to work, with Langford singling to left field before stealing second base. McQuillan reached first base on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop as the Ospreys sent Keef out as a pinch runner for McQuillan. 

As Cimino flied out, Langford advanced to third base. The Ospreys pushed further, with Langford scoring a run as Keef stole second base.

Finally, Oliva doubled to center field, allowing Keef to score and ending the game.

UNF tied the series up, winning game two 4-12 and receiving their first ASUN Conference win of the season.

Game Three

The Ospreys and the Dolphins both entered the final match determined. Both teams pushed offensively, scoring two runs in the first inning. 

Moving into the second inning, both teams put up a solid defense, preventing each other from scoring. This continued until the fifth inning when the Ospreys found their opening.

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(Caption: Freshman infielder Addie Keef was pivotal in the series final, scoring early in the game and hitting a home run later on.)

Coming up to the plate, Keef homered to left field, scoring the Ospreys another run. 

However, the Dolphins were out of the game yet, as they matched the Ospreys with a home run of their own, evening the score.

Finally, in the seventh inning, the Dolphins sealed the Ospreys’ fates, delivering two more homers and scoring four runs.

The Ospreys attempted to counter as McCarthy and Langford each scored runs, but they came up short again, losing the game 7-5.

The Ospreys will be traveling to Tallahassee, Fla. to face off against the Florida State Seminoles on Tuesday at JoAnne Graf Field.

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