March 20, 2007

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team played a seemingly close game with USF on Tuesday, but timely hitting by the Bulls pushed them past UNF 5-1 at Red McEwan Field.

The Ospreys (10-15) led the game in hits for most of the game but weren't able to muster enough offense when it counted. Senior right fielder Jon Dandridge led UNF at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run for the Ospreys' only run of the game. Eight men were left on base by UNF.

UNF pitching wasn't able to keep control when it came down to crunch time, as the Ospreys combined to walk or hit 11 USF batters. Senior starting RHP Dicarlo Thompson (0-1) picked up the loss after lasting just a third of an inning and allowing one run on three walks.

USF (16-7) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first then added two more in the bottom of the third on a two-run homer by Brandin Daniel. UNF was able to cut the lead to 3-1 in the top of the fifth on Dandridge's solo home run, but the Bulls kept the pressure on with runs in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings.

Junior Chad Knight went 1-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to nine games. Senior catcher James Belyea went 1-for-3 and tallied his seventh double of the season. The Ospreys were able to put together a solid game in the field, committing no errors and converting on two double plays.

UNF will return home for a three-game series this weekend against Atlantic Sun Conference foe ETSU beginning with a doubleheader at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The games will be broadcast live on WIOJ-AM 1010 in Jacksonville. Live stats and audio will be available on UNFOspreys.com.