The University of North Florida Ospreys won their weekend series against the Stetson University Hatters, winning their sixth-straight series in the ASUN Conference.

North Florida remains ranked first in the ASUN Graphite Division with a 14-4 record. Tallahassee State transfer Boone Hosey was a statistical leader throughout each match with five hits, two runs and one home run.

Game One vs. Stetson

At the start of game one, the top of the first inning sped by as the Ospreys quickly took out three of the Hatters. 

Central Florida transfer Dakota Stone struck out the first batter. While the second batter walked to first after getting hit, the Ospreys made up for it by grounding him and the third batter out in a double play.

At the bottom of the first inning, the Ospreys had a slow start with Junior infielder Mitchell Collins grounding out to the second baseman. However, they soon found their footing as Northwest Florida State transfer Matthew Farner singled to left field.

Farner continued to advance through the bases, making it to third base while Seminole State transfer Gialdri Gomez singled through the right side. 

Then, as Redshirt Sophomore Carter White doubled down the right field line, Farner scored a run for the Ospreys.

The Ospreys’ turn ended when Gaston transfer Jackson Toberman grounded out to shortstop. The first inning ended with the Ospreys ahead 0-1.

In the second inning, both teams put up solid defense. The Ospreys lined out one batter and then struck out two more, but the Hatters retaliated, ending the Ospreys’ turn in three batters.

In the third inning, the Hatters began to make progress with Senior utility player Jayden Hylton walking to first base. 

Hylton advanced to second base as a second Hatter was grounded out, and then Hylton scored as a third Hatter doubled to left center.

The Ospreys attempted to regain their lead at the bottom of the third inning, but the Hatters ended the inning before they could score, leaving the score even at 1-1.

The game continued with no runs made by either team until the bottom of the eighth inning, when White reached home base while Redshirt Freshman Sean Benjamin doubled down the left field line.

Benjamin then scored a third run for the Ospreys on a throwing error. The Hatters were unable to score more runs at the top of the ninth inning, making game one a 2-3 win for the Ospreys.

Game Two

The Hatters came back on Saturday, hoping to take game two, opening the first inning with Redshirt Junior Juan De La Cruz walking to first base.

De La Cruz made his way through the field, advancing to second base on a passed ball and then advancing to third base as another batter grounded out.

Finally, De La Cruz scored while a third batter singled to center field, gaining the Hatters an early lead. The Hatters’ turn soon ended as the Ospreys made a double play.

The Ospreys were unable to score at the bottom of the first inning, allowing the Hatters to keep their 1-0 lead going into the second inning.

The Hatters managed to keep their lead until the bottom of the fourth inning, where Gomez walked to first base.

Gomez pushed forward, stealing second base and getting all the way to home base as Hosey singled to second base.

Both teams remained tied in the fifth inning. At the top of the sixth inning, De La Cruz singled to third base, but was quickly grounded into a double play before another Hatter flied out, ending their turn.

At the bottom of the sixth inning, the Ospreys had a rough opening with Hosey striking out, but quickly locked in with White hitting a triple to center field.

The Ospreys followed up on success with St. Johns River State transfer Jackson Schrafft, singling to center field, allowing White to score and break the Ospreys’ tie with the Hatters.

The match continued and ended without more scoring from either team. The Ospreys took the game 1-2 and secured the series as a victory.

Game Three

Opening up the last game on Sunday, the Hatters were determined to win. They may have lost the series, but they weren’t going to head home swept.

The Hatters scored early, with one batter tripling to right-center field and then scoring an unearned run.

However, the Ospreys weren’t going down without a fight, setting the game’s tone with Hosey hitting a home run to tie the game 1-1.

The Hatters shot back in the second inning, hitting a homer of their own and scoring two runs. The Ospreys tried even the score with Ordonez scoring and Schrafft on his way to do the same, but Freshman infielder Drew Buchanan struck out, ending the inning with the Ospreys down 3-2.

Both teams went without scoring for the next two innings, making strong defensive plays instead. At the top of the fifth inning, the Hatters expanded their lead, gaining six runs before the end of their turn. The fifth inning ended with the Hatters up 6-2.

At the top of the sixth inning, the Ospreys revitalized their defense, stopping the Hatters from scoring. At the bottom of the sixth inning, Hosey scored another run for the Ospreys, walking to first base, advancing through the bases, and scoring while White flied out.

By the top of the eighth inning, the Ospreys were still down three points and the Hatters were ready to widen that deficit, hitting one last home run before the end of the game.

The game ended in the ninth inning with the Ospreys down 7-3.

The Ospreys will remain at home to face off against the Florida State University Seminoles on Tuesday. First pitch is at 6:05 on Dusty Rhodes Field.

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