JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University baseball rallied late, but ultimately came up short, losing 8-5 to North Florida on Friday night at Harmon Stadium.
 
The Dolphins (7-24, 0-10) plated four in the ninth, and brought the tying run to the plate before the running out of steam.
 
UNF took an early lead and never looked back. A solo home run in the first put them up 1-0. JU almost answered immediately, but Duncan Hunter's deep drive to left center was taken back over the wall by Blake Marabell.
 
The Ospreys added one in the third. After a two-out single, a triple to the right field corner made it 2-0.
 
JU got on the board in the sixth. Blake DeLamielleure and Ruben Someillan hit back-to-back singles to start the frame, and Jesus Pacheco bunted them into scoring position. Dakota Julylia grounded out to second to plate DeLamielleure to bring the Dolphins within one.
 
UNF got that run back in the bottom of the inning. The Ospreys hit consecutive singles to start the inning, and with one out, a flyout to foul territory in right was caught by Hunter, who tried to throw out the runner advancing to third on the tag-up. The throw got a way and the error scored the runner.
 
UNF scored three more in the seventh, on three singles, all coming with two outs, to extend the lead to 6-1. A two-run homer in the eighth made it 8-1.
 
JU got the rally in the ninth started when Christian Coipel walked and Mike Cassala singled. With two outs, Cory Heffron poked an RBI single to left center, chasing the Ospreys starter. DeLamielleure drew a walk, Someillan hit a ball to short which led to a throwing error and Pacheco singled to third, driving in another. But, after another pitching change, a groundout ended the threat.
 
ON DECK
 
Jacksonville looks to even the series tomorrow afternoon vs. North Florida. First pitch at Harmon Stadium is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.
 
THREE STRIKES
 

• Tyler Santana made his 44th start of his career, becoming the all-time record holder in career starts at JU
• Ruben Someillan recorded his seventh multi-hit game of the season, and has now reached base safely in all 31 games this year
• Blake DeLamielleure extended his hit streak to five straight games