Ospreys make it five straight

Wednesday, March 7

Jacksonville, Fla.

7:00 PM

University of North Florida

7-9

WESTERN MICHIGAN

2-4

Western Michigan

North Florida

3/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

March 7, 2007

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The University of North Florida baseball team was working on all cylinders on Wednesday night in a 3-2 win over Western Michigan at Harmon Stadium in the Kennel Club Classic.

UNF (7-9) has now won five straight and is 5-0 at the Kennel Club Classic. After Western Michigan (2-4) scored two runs in the top of the third, Ospreys pitching didn't allow a run the rest of the way and scattered six harmless hits.

Junior designated hitter Travis Martin went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two doubles, and in the process he tied the school record for most consecutive hits at seven. He now shares the record with Mike Tucker and Mac Mackiewitz, who was one of Martin's coaches Providence High School.

Redshirt freshman RHP Tucker Pryor (1-0) picked up his first career win after pitching a solid six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out eight.

After the Broncos got on the board first in the top of the third to take a 2-0 lead, UNF tied it in the bottom of the fourth with help from sophomore center fielder Brian Wilson and junior third baseman Mike Smith. Wilson's sacrifice fly to center field drove in Martin, and in the next at-bat, Smith's RBI single to center allowed senior catcher James Belyea to score.

Then in the bottom of the fifth, senior first baseman Jimmy Glanville shocked everyone and laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line that drove in Martin for the go-ahead run. The WMU third baseman was so unprepared for the squeeze that he got a late jump on the ball and Glanville pulled out an infield single.

Senior LHP Renzo Sheppard struck out two in his inning of relief to help set up sophomore RHP Tyler Stohr's second save of the season. Stohr allowed just two hits and struck out three in the eighth and ninth innings to seal the win for UNF.

Pitching, precise defense and masterful strategy proved to be the deciding factors for the Ospreys, as it was the first time this season where they've won while being out hit by the opponent.

The Ospreys will roll on this weekend in the Kennel Club Classic with games against Ohio State, Connecticut and UNC Greeensboro. UNF is set to take on Ohio State at 7 p.m. on Friday at Harmon Stadium. The game will be broadcast on WIOJ-AM 1010 in Jacksonville and can also be heard on UNFOspreys.com.