April 9, 2006

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.  - For the third straight game Jacksonville University came from behind to beat North Florida. JU scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning and held on for a 2-1 victory over the Ospreys on Sunday afternoon at Harmon Stadium. With the sweep of the UNF, JU now holds a nine to seven advantage in the Sun Trust River City Rumble series.

The Ospreys had the first legitimate scoring chance of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and did not disappoint as Travis Martin sent Matt Oxendine across the dish with a sacrifice fly to right field.

UNF (18-17, 10-8 A-Sun) tried to extend its lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as Brennan Grogan and Jimmy Glanville started the frame with back-to-back singles. The Dolphins were able to work their way out of the jam as JU pitcher Tim Brown induced Travis Martin to ground into a double play and stuck out Jonathan Hodach to end the threat.

JU rightfielder Mike McCallister started the top of the eighth inning with a single and eventually came around to score on a hard-hit ground ball that got away from UNF third baseman Grant Rogers to knot things up at 1-1. Four batters later JU leadoff man Anthony Bernazard put the Dolphins on top for good with an RBI single down the right field line that sent Don Vickers across the plate.

Jeremy Papelbon (2-3) took a tough loss after working 7.2 innings and striking out five Dolphins' hitters along the way. The southpaw surrendered just five hits and two unearned runs as he has now lost three straight decisions. Red shirt freshman, Tim Brown (3-1), tossed 7.2 innings and scattered five hits to earn the win.

Glanville finished 2-for-4 on the afternoon, while Oxendine, Grogan, and Chad Knight each had a hit for UNF. JU first baseman Gordie Gronkowski lifted his hitting streak to 26 games in the fourth inning with a single to right center.

UNF will return to the diamond on Tuesday night against Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Fla. First pitch is set for 7 p.m. and fans can follow all the action via Gametracker on www.UNFOspreys.com.