Feb. 17, 2006
Box Score
ORLANDO, Fla. - The magic number for the University of North Florida is 10 - as in 10 innings.
For the second consecutive game, the Ospreys have plated a run in the 10th inning to earn a win. This time UNF (3-3) topped in-state rival UCF 1-0.
The win comes on the heels of a 10-inning, 4-3 win over No. 17 LSU on Feb. 12.
Freshman Brian Wilson scored the game-winning run in the top of the 10th inning after senior Matt Oxendine grounded to third base. UCF catcher Ryan Bono couldn't handle the throw from Matt Ray and Wilson slid in safely to put UNF on top.
"We played pretty well defensively, but we still aren't hitting the ball," UNF head coach Dusty Rhodes said. "It was a good win, but we have to put this one behind us and get back to work tomorrow."
Junior Josh Papelbon (1-0) earned the win for the Ospreys after tossing two innings allowing no hits and no runs.
Senior right-hander Jacob Dixon tossed seven innings allowing just two hits while holding the Golden Knights scoreless. Dixon also collected six strikeouts, while issuing just one base on balls.
Senior Brennan Grogan, sophomore Jimmy Glanville, junior Jon Dandridge and Wilson each collected hits for the Ospreys who out hit the Golden Knights (1-3) by a count of 4-3. Both UNF and UCF stranded eight runners on base.
The Ospreys used a trio of clutch performances in the field to keep the Golden Knights off the scoreboard and force the game into extra innings. The first came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Oxendine made a diving stop in the hole, bouncing to his feet quickly and throwing to first in time to cut down Kiko Vazquez to end the inning.
The second came in the bottom of the eighth inning when junior right-hander Dicarlo Thompson sat Tyson Auer down on strikes before getting Ray to fly out to center field to end the inning and strand Eric Kallstrom at third base.
The third came in the bottom of the ninth when Papelbon entered the game with no outs and runners on first and second. After a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Bono and an intentional walk to pinch hitter Mitch Houck, the UNF submariner struck out Dave Lambert and got Kallstrom to ground out to second base to end the inning and the Golden Knights' threat.
The Ospreys and the Golden Knights will continue their three-game series Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
