Gainesville, FL (U-WIRE) -- There was no joy in Gainesville, mighty Bryson had struck out.

UF dropped the second game of its mid-week series to UNC-Asheville 8-5 Wednesday, sending a sparse crowd of 329 home disappointed after sitting in rain and cold temperatures for three and a half hours.

Freshman Bryson Barber stood at the plate with the bases loaded, his team down by three. With two outs and a full count, Bryson struck out swinging to end the game.

The Gators (12-4) had loaded the bases and scored a run without getting a hit in the bottom of the ninth inning. UNC-Asheville closer Ryan Stewart walked Gavin Dickey, struck out Stephen Barton and Adam Davis, then walked Jeff Corsaletti.

His first pitch to Matt LaPorta hit the UF first baseman in the shoulder, and Brian Leclerc walked on five pitches to score the Gators' fifth run.

"That's the kind of game you always dream about," UNC-Asheville coach Willie Stewart said. "Of course, if you're on this end, you almost wake up in a nightmare. It's the fun in baseball. If we didn't have exciting games like this, I don't know if people would want to come and watch."

The Bulldogs won the game by rallying to score four runs on two hits in the top of the ninth inning, all unearned, against UF closer Darren O'Day.

O'Day got into a jam in the top of the ninth, forcing home the Bulldog's fifth run by hitting a batter with the bases loaded and two outs. Designated hitter Johnny Martinez drove in three runs with a line-drive double to right-center field. O'Day was charged with the loss, dropping his record to 3-2.

Freshman Bryan Augenstein made his first career start, pitching three innings, striking out two, and allowing four runs on four hits and a walk. Connor Falkenbach relieved with none out in the fourth inning. Stephen Porter relieved Falkenbach in the sixth, but walked the only two batters he faced.

O'Day entered the game with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, but induced an inning-ending double play.

"At that time, I really thought we had the momentum and those last three innings, I was going to do my job, we'd get a couple of runs and win it," O'Day said. "It's a big situation. Guys on our staff take pride in coming in when another guy isn't doing so well and helping him out."

Junior shortstop Justin Tordi ended his streak of 96 consecutive starts. Tordi injured his back diving for a ball in the sixth inning Tuesday night and sat out with back spasms. Tordi had started the previous 14 games this season, and all 65 last year. He made 52 starts in 53 games his freshman year.

Second baseman Adam Davis took Tordi's place at shortstop, while Stephen Barton filled in for Davis, leaving an opening for Gavin Dickey in left field.

Dickey batted 2-3 with an RBI, a double and stole a base, possibly making a case for more playing time.

"Tordi is the staple of our team, he's a leader on and off the field," Dickey said. "He's the cornerstone of our infield. It was a little different without him. We had guys fill in pretty nicely in his absence."

Davis and Barton made exceptional efforts in their temporary positions, playing error-free baseball.

The same cannot be said for Matt LaPorta and Brian McArthur. LaPorta made a throwing error in the third inning, while McArthur had a hard-hit grounder pass through his legs as part of the ninth inning rally for UNC-Asheville.

"Well, that error, it's a pretty weak error-the ball was hit pretty hard," O'Day said. "[UNC-Asheville] battled, I was doing good all three innings, but they got to me when it mattered, they're a good team."

UF centerfielder Jeff Corsaletti batted 2-3 and stole two bases in the loss.

(C) 2004 Independent Florida Alligator via U-WIRE