March 20, 2005

Box Score (Gm 1)
Box Score (Gm 2)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team capped a three-game weekend sweep of Peach Belt Conference foe Armstrong Atlantic State on Sunday afternoon, winning both games of a doubleheader 4-3 and 6-0 at Harmon Stadium.

Damon Olinto's one-out double scored Sadry Café from first in the bottom of the ninth inning to win game one for the sixth-ranked Ospreys, while pitchers Kyle Aylor, Jared Incinelli and Josh Papelbon combined to allow three hits in a game-two victory.

The win moved UNF (20-8, 7-5 PBC) into a second- place tie in the conference standings, just one game behind first-place Lander. The Ospreys have now won seven of nine conference games after an 0-3 start. Armstrong Atlantic State, ranked 29th in the latest Division II poll, fell to 19-5 and 2-4 in Peach Belt play.

"Our pitching did the job," UNF head coach Dusty Rhodes said. "All of starters were strong, and we hit the ball pretty good in key situations. Anytime you can get a sweep in this conference, it is big. But we still have a bunch more to play."

In game one, UNF got a strong performance from starter Jacob Dixon, who pitched into the ninth inning, allowing just seven hits and one walk. He left with a 3-2 lead, but Armstrong Atlantic's Miguel Donate delivered a two-out, RBI-single off UNF closer Josh Papelbon to tie the game at 3 - costing Dixon the victory.

The Ospreys rallied in the bottom of the ninth, however, when Café walked and Olinto drove a 3-2 pitch over the head of AASU's Jonnie Geiger, who initially lost the ball in the sun. The game-winner came off Pirates starter Jon Troop (7-1), who scattered eight hits and struck out seven in 8.1 innings.

Marion Knowles hit a two-run home run for UNF, and Brennan Grogan was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Papelbon (2-1) earned the win in relief.

In game two, the Ospreys broke open a 2-0 game with a three-run fifth inning -highlighted by a Café two-run home run. Brennan Grogan, Josh Howard and Jon Skorupski were all 2-for-3 with a run scored for the Ospreys, who pounded out 13 hits.

UNF pitching never wavered, carrying a one-hitter into the final inning before the Pirates loaded the bases against Incinelli with one out. Papelbon came on to record the final two outs, however, and preserve the shutout - UNF's second this season.

Aylor (4-1) earned the win, pitching into the fifth in the seven-inning contest. The junior allowed one hit and two walks while striking out five. Incinelli allowed two hits in two innings of relief.

The Ospreys will cap a 15-game homestand against Flagler College on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Harmon Stadium. The game will be broadcast via the World Wide Web at www.unfospreys.com.