The University of North Florida Ospreys won their at-home series against the Queens University of Charlotte Royals over the weekend.

The series marks North Florida’s fourth ASUN series win, with its conference record now sitting at 10-2. 

Game One vs. Queens

The Royals took an early lead in the first inning. While the Royals’ first batter was grounded out, they made up for it with the next batter doubling to the right field line. The batter then made it back home as another batter singled through the left side.

The Ospreys tried to counter with a strong opening, with Junior infielder Mitchell Collins hitting a double of his own to left-center field. However, the Ospreys weren’t able to capitalize on it, ending the inning with no runs.

In the second inning, the Royals strengthened their offense, with another batter doubling to the left field line, advancing to third on a throwing error, and then scoring on a fielder’s choice. 

The Royals continued to put up runs on the board, scoring four more runs before the end of their turn.

The Ospreys began to fire back at the bottom of the second, with Gaston transfer Jackson Toberman getting to walk before Freshman infielder Drew Buchanan hit a home run to left center field, scoring the Ospreys two runs.

The second inning ended with the Ospreys down 6-2, giving the Royals an advantage going into the third inning.

Neither team managed to score for the next three innings. The Ospreys put up a solid defense at the top of the sixth inning, with Senior left-handed pitcher Kai Etwaru striking out two Royals and a third Royal getting out at second base. 

Going on the offensive, Redshirt Sophomore Carter White then homered to right field, bringing the Ospreys closer to catching up with the Royals.

The Ospreys weren’t able to make the plays they needed; however, going the rest of the game without scoring. In the ninth inning, the Royals sealed the Ospreys’ fate, scoring one last run before the end of the game.

Game one ended as a loss for the Ospreys, falling short 7-3.

Game Two

Both teams had a slow start on Friday, with neither scoring in the first four innings. At the top of the fifth inning, the Royals made the first runs of the match, scoring two unearned.

The Ospreys quickly took back the lead, starting with Tallahassee State transfer Boone Hosey walking to first base. Hosey then advanced to second base on a passed ball and continued to third base after Seminole State transfer Gialdri Gomez hit a single. 

Lastly, White stepped up to the plate as Senior catcher Santiago Ordonez walked to first base and Gomez advanced to second base. Swinging for the fences, White hit a homer to right field, allowing the Ospreys to score four runs at once.

The Royals tried to put up more runs in the next three innings, but the Ospreys’ defense was too great for them.

In the eighth inning, the Ospreys further cemented their lead, with Toberman singling to the left side before St. Johns River State transfer Jackson Schrafft took his place as a pinch runner. 

Schrafft advanced through the bases, walking all the way to third base. Finally, the Royals threw a wild pitch, allowing Schrafft to reach home base and score one last run for the Ospreys.

Unable to recover their lead at the top of the ninth inning, the Royals lost the second game 2-5, putting the Ospreys neck and neck with them.

Game Three

The Ospreys wasted no time in game three, scoring three runs in the first inning. 

Then, scoring started with Collins singling to the middle before stealing second base. Then, Collins reached third and managed to score an unearned run while the Royals made a throwing error. 

At the same time, Northwest Florida State transfer Matthew Farner advanced to second base off the throwing error.

Farner then advanced to third base as Gomez doubled down the right field line.

Lastly, Hosey singled to left field, allowing Gomez and Farner to score off of a fielding error. By the end of the inning, the Ospreys had an early 0-3 lead.

The Royals came to life in the second inning, determined not to have a repeat of the prior game. 

The Royals went on to get back-to-back home runs, scoring four points in the inning and taking a narrow lead over the Ospreys.

However, the Ospreys were also determined to win, evening the score with Farner hitting a home run of his own.

Both teams went without scoring for the next three innings, neither content with letting the other team make any more progress.

At the bottom of the sixth inning, the Ospreys finally carved out an opening, starting with Redshirt Freshman Sean Benjamin singling to the left side, then being propelled back to home base as Redshirt Senior Tyler Gerteisen tripled to left field. 

Gerteisen kept up his momentum, scoring as Collins singled to right field. Collins pushed forward, stealing second base just before Farner walked to first base.

Collins and Farner then advanced further as Gomez was hit by the pitch and made his way to first base.

Collins went on to score as Hosey walked to first base and Gomez and Farner advanced. Farner then scored as Toberman flew out.

Gomez advanced to third, ready to score another run for the Ospreys, but Benjamin was grounded out before he could, ending the inning with the Ospreys up 4-8.

However, Gomez got his chance to shine in the next inning, singling to right field and allowing Collins and Buchanan to score unearned runs, bringing the Ospreys ‘ score up to ten runs.

The Royals fought hard, hoping to take back the game, but only managed to score two more runs in the ninth inning, ending the match down four runs. The Ospreys won game three 6-10, taking the series.

The Ospreys will be on the road, facing off against the University of West Georgia Wolves on Friday. First pitch is at 6 p.m. on Cole Field in Carrollton, Ga.

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