Feb. 24, 2007

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team continued its winning momentum on Saturday at Harmon Stadium against Towson, gutting out a 4-3 win behind the strong pitching of junior Travis Martin.

Martin gave the Ospreys (2-7) every chance to get the win, as he went 5.2 innings and didn't allow an earned run. He spaced out six hits and struck out three. Redshirt freshman shortstop Mycal Jones took advantage of Martin's gem, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Senior right fielder Jon Dandridge also had a strong day, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

UNF put together a comfortable 3-0 lead after the bottom of the second, with Dandridge getting things going with an RBI single to drive in senior catcher James Belyea. Jones drove in another run when he beat out the throw from the second baseman for an infield hit. Senior second baseman Chad Knight capped off the blast of runs with an RBI single to left field that drove in Dandridge.

Jones gave the Ospreys a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth with another infield hit that drove in Dandridge. Then suddenly UNF caught a case of the "Es," committing three errors in the top of the sixth that led to Towson scoring three runs to cut the Ospreys' lead to 4-3.

But sophomore Antonio Franzese did not let UNF relinquish the lead, coming in to pitch 2.1 innings of hitless ball in setup. Then freshman Paul Morales shut the door on the Tigers in the top of the ninth, sending Towson to a 1-2-3 inning while striking out one. Martin moved to 1-0 on the season, while Morales picked up his first career save.

The Ospreys will go for the sweep of Towson at 1 p.m. tomorrow at Harmon Stadium in the final showdown of the three-game series. Live stats and audio will be available on UNFOspreys.com.