BOX SCORE: PDF | HTML

February 3, 2017

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A four-run fifth inning for Florida Southern proved to be the deciding factor for the UWF baseball team's season-opening, 5-2 setback on Friday night.

"Give their pitchers credit. They threw the ball real well," said head coach Mike Jeffcoat. "We swung at some balls out of the zone and had eight strikeouts, which is too many in my opinion."

JT Granat was credited with the loss after throwing 4.1 innings, allowing three earned runs and an uncharacteristic four walks.

Florida Southern jumped up 1-0 with a run in the top of the first, but the Argonauts responded quickly after Chase Kiefer came around to score on a Brandon Harmon groundout.

The Argonauts later took a 2-1 lead from Nick Kerkmann's RBI double in the left centerfield gap, scoring Ladeavon Matthews.

Granat surrendered back-to-back walks in the top of the fifth and would hand the ball over to freshman Jared Middleton to make his collegiate debut. Middleton had a rocky fifth inning, allowing a three-run home run to Florida Southern cleanup hitter Jason Sierra, but settled down nicely in the sixth by striking out the side in order.

Jared Gonzalez impressed on his UWF debut, pitching the final two innings and recording two strikeouts while only allowing two hits.

"I really wanted (Middleton) on for a lefty-lefty matchup. He got to Sierra, probably their best hitter and just left a changeup up in the zone. Real proud of the way he settled down, and proud of the way Gonzalez performed tonight," said Jeffcoat.

Kiefer had a solid day at the plate in his first game back since a season-ending thumb injury 362 days ago, going 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Justin Ambrosino had a performance reminiscent of his successful 2016 season, going 2-for-4 at the plate.

"We have to come out tomorrow, clean things up, and play well to earn a victory in this series," said Jeffcoat.

UWF will wrap up its first series of the season tomorrow with a doubleheader against the Mocs starting at noon.

For information on all UWF athletics, visit GoArgos.com. To stay updated on UWF baseball, follow the team on Twitter @UWF_Baseball.