University of North Florida
Bethune-Cookman
UNF Ends Bethune-Cookman’s Win Streak
3/24/2010 9:21:00 PM | Baseball
Atteo earned the win, while Medlen got the save
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team earned a 3-2 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark snapping the Wildcats' nine-game winnings streak.
The Ospreys received stellar pitching performances from starting pitcher John Atteo and closer Casey Medlen.
Atteo scattered seven hits in 7.0 innings of work with only one extra base hit. The senior allowed just two earned runs in the game. Atteo fanned five batters and did not issue a walk. At one point, Atteo retired seven batters in a row and nine of 11.
Atteo was relieved by Medlen who worked two perfect innings to earn his first save of the season. He struck out two batters on the night, ending each inning he worked with a K.
Offensively, the Ospreys were held to their lowest hit total of the season. UNF collected just four hits, which tied the season opener against No. 14 Ohio State for the least hits on the season. North Florida made its hits count as three of the four hits were extra base hits. Senior T.J. Thompson hit a three-run homer that proved to be the difference in the game. Senior Preston Hale added a pair of doubles and also scored a run.
The Wildcats were the first team to score. BCU lead off the inning with an infield single to second base. A ground out moved the runner into scoring position and a single up the middle scored the base runner from second. The Ospreys escaped the inning without any further damage, but trailed 1-0 after three complete innings.
The Ospreys answered with three runs in the top of the fourth inning. Hale led off the inning with a double off of the right field wall and Andrew Karmeris followed with a walk. With two runners on and no outs, Thompson hit his team-leading seventh home run of the season to give UNF a 3-1 lead.
Bethune-Cookman cut the UNF lead in half with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. A lead off double started things for the Wildcats and an error by the Ospreys moved the runner to third. UNF tried to turn a double play as the next batter hit a ground ball to short, but an errant throw into the dugout allowed the runner to score and left a runner on second base. Bethune-Cookman would get no closer as Atteo and Medlen shutdown the Wildcats over the final three innings.
North Florida returns home over the weekend as the Ospreys continue Atlantic Sun Conference play. UNF hosts Campbell over the weekend starting with a single game on Friday, March 26, at 7 p.m. The series concludes with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27, beginning at 1 p.m.
