JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After responding from an early deficit to take a one-run lead into the bottom of the seventh inning, FGCU (28-13, 4-6 ASUN) struggled to hold UNF (27-15, 8-2 ASUN) in check in its final two at-bats as the Ospreys defeated the Eagles, 6-3, Friday night at Harmon Stadium.

The Green and Blue took a 3-2 lead behind two-out RBI singles from Gage Morey (West Palm Beach, Fla./PB Central HS) and Spencer Levine (Miami, Fla./Seminole State College/Miami Killian Senior HS) in the top of the sixth inning, but UNF responded with two runs in the home half of the seventh to reclaim its early lead. The Ospreys then tacked on two more in the bottom of the eighth to get to the eventual 6-3 final score.

FGCU starter Kutter Crawford (5-1, 1.68) allowed a pair of first-inning runs but appeared to get better as the game went on as the junior right hander held the Ospreys scoreless from the second through the sixth innings. However, UNF matched its hit total entering the bottom of the seventh with four singles in the frame and grabbed a 4-3 lead.

Trailing 6-3, the Eagles loaded the bases with nobody out in the top of the ninth. However, UNF recorded the first out of the inning at the plate and got a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

Crawford (Okeechobee, Fla./Indian River State/Okeechobee HS) suffered his first loss of the season while UNF reliever Tyler DuPont earned the win. Senior right hander Matthew Naylor entered the game with one out in the ninth and earned the save.

"I was happy with the way the guys battled back early, but we have to do a better job of playing with a lead," said FGCU head coach Dave Tollett. "It's something we've struggled with a bit of the past few weeks. and we need to shore some things up and get back to how we were playing early on – with confidence and freedom. It was nice to see some big, two-out hits from our guys, but we need more people to step up in key situations."

FGCU gave up at least two first-inning runs for the third straight game as UNF followed a leadoff walk with a double, sacrifice fly and RBI groundout to take an early 2-0 lead.

However, the Eagles quickly responded with a run in the top of the second. After Marc Coffers (Naples, Fla./Barron Collier HS) drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a Morey's first single of the game, Levine drove him in on a sacrifice fly to deep center field.

With Crawford having pitched four straight scoreless frames, Morey and Levine again played a factor in the game as each came through with a two-out RBI single to give FGCU its first lead of the evening. Morey hit a RBI single up the middle to score Richie Garcia (Davie, Fla./West Broward HS) from second and tie the score, 2-2. The FGCU center fielder then swiped second base before Levine drove him in on a single through the left side of the infield.

As previously mentioned, UNF entered the seventh inning with four hits and matched its total in the frame as the Ospreys plated a pair of runs on a two-RBI infield single from Mac Wilson and reclaimed its early lead. The UNF nine-hole hitter hit a chopper off Crawford back up the middle, and FGCU second baseman Matt Reardon (Palm City, Fla./Martin County HS) was able to glove it but couldn't get enough on his throw, which allowed Wesley Weeks to score from second on some heads-up base running.

Garcia started the top of the eighth inning with a single down the left-field line but was erased when DuPont picked him off first base.

With Kenton Hering (Melbourne, Fla./Eastern Florida State/Viera HS) on in relief, UNF added a pair of insurance runs on a two-out RBI single Christian Diaz followed by a RBI double from Weeks in the eighth inning.

Offensively, Gonzalez, Morey and Levine accounted for six of FGCU's seven hits with two apiece. Additionally, Levine drove in a pair of runs in the contest.

UP NEXT
Game two of the three-game series in Jacksonville is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. FGCU will send southpaw Josh Dye (6-2, 2.57) to the mound opposite UNF right hander Frank German (6-0, 2.22).

TICKETS
Single game tickets for the remainder of the 2017 FGCU baseball season are on sale. Single game tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for youth (12 and under), military and groups. For questions or more information, please contact the FGCU Ticket Office at 239-590-7145.

FOLLOW ALONG
For constant, news, photos, videos and updates you can follow the baseball team on Twitter @FGCU_Baseball, Instagram @FGCU_Baseball or on Facebook: Facebook.com/FGCUBaseball. You can also find FGCU athletics on YouTube by visiting YouTube.com/FGCUEagles.

DAVE TOLLETT
In his 15th season of work, FGCU head coach Dave Tollett has compiled a 518-309-3 record (.624) as the only head coach in the program's history. He is a four-time ASUN Coach of the Year and has guided the Green and Blue to four ASUN Regular Season Championships. His team has been ranked nationally on several occasions by multiple media outlets and has coached 42 All-Conference selections, 27 draft picks, three current major leaguers, 15 current minor leaguers, four ASUN Pitchers of the Year, four All-Americans, two ASUN Players of the Year, one National Freshman Player of the Year, one National Player of the Year and one five-time MLB All-Star.

#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events throughout the year to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.