North Florida Baseball achieved its first series win of the season with a 12-2 run-rule victory over Sacred Heart in Game 3 at Harmon Stadium on Sunday.
Sacred Heart took an early lead, scoring in the first inning. North Florida responded in the third when junior infielder Mitchell Collins tied the game with a ground ball to second base.
The Ospreys had a productive fourth inning. Junior infielder Mathew Farner scored on a passed ball, and redshirt junior utility player Boone Hosey hit a two-run home run to right-center field, giving North Florida a 4-1 lead. Junior outfielder Gialdri Gomez later scored on another passed ball, increasing the lead to 5-1.
Sacred Heart added its second and final run in the fifth inning. North Florida extended its advantage when junior utility player Jackson Toberman drove in a run with a single up the middle.
In the seventh inning, Farner led off with a solo home run to left-center, his second home run in as many days. This brought North Florida’s lead to 8-2. Later in the inning, redshirt sophomore outfielder Carter White hit his first home run of the season—a three-run shot to right field—making it 11-2. Redshirt junior utility player Jackson Schrafft scored the final run for North Florida on a wild pitch.
Ed Wagner earned the win for North Florida (1-0), while Ryan Parker took the loss for Sacred Heart (0-1).
For North Florida, statistical leaders included Mathew Farner (1-for-4, home run, two runs, one RBI), Boone Hosey (2-for-3, home run, two RBIs), Carter White (1-for-4, home run, three RBIs), Seth Alford (2-for-4, one RBI), Gialdri Gomez (2-for-4), Sean Benjamin (2-for-4), and Jon Costa who pitched 2.1 innings without allowing a run and struck out four batters.
Gavin Donohue led Sacred Heart offensively by going 2-for-3 with a home run and one RBI.
North Florida will play its next game at home against Charleston Southern on Tuesday at Harmon Stadium.
