University of North Florida
UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA
UNF drops finale with Tampa
5/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 14, 2005
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The second-ranked University of North Florida baseball team ran out of magic on Saturday at Harmon Stadium, dropping its second-straight game to No. 23 Tampa, 7-6.
The Ospreys (41-14) collected 13 hits in the game but trailed from the third inning on. They pushed four runs across in the final two innings but were unable to score the game-tying run, leaving senior Sadry Cafe standing on first base when Marion Knowles struck out to end the game.
Tampa (38-16) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning after a pair of singles by Brad Chamberlain and Orlando Rosales. The Spartans were also aided by a pair of UNF errors.
The Ospreys got on the board in their half of the inning, pushing two runs across thanks to a doubles by seniors Mike Fryrear and Josh Howard. Howard's double scored Fryrear to give UNF its first run of the game. Howard was thrown out at the plate after a Jon Skorupski single, however, and Café followed that with a hit to drive home then singled up the middle to plate Skorupski and cut the Spartans' lead to 4-2.
Tampa added two more runs in the fourth to extend its lead to 6-2 on a two-run home run by Lee Cruz. The Spartans tacked on another run in the sixth inning to build a 7-2 lead.
UNF managed to slice into the lead in the bottom of the eighth by plating three runs. The Osprey rally consisted of a trio of singles by Skorupski, Matt Oxendine Judd Loveland. The three runs drew UNF to within 7-5. The Ospreys' final run of the game came after Howard doubled down the left-field line with one out in the bottom of the ninth and later came around to score on a two-out single by Café up the middle. Johnny Williams, however, pitched out of the jam to end the game.
Justin Boza (6-4) earned the win for the Spartans, tossing five innings while surrendering just two runs on seven hits. Williams was credited with his first the save, tossing four innings of relief.
Jeremy Papelbon (3-3) took the loss for the Ospreys, starting and throwing 2.2 innings. He allowed four runs on five hits.
Saturday's game marked the end of the regular season for both teams. The NCAA South Atlantic Regional starts Thursday for UNF and will conclude on Saturday. The Ospreys are expected to host and will receive confirmation on Sunday, along with the pairings. Tampa is expected to secure a spot in the NCAA South Regional.
