Ospreys to Host Knights in Midweek Tilt

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team welcomes members of the Jacksonville Jaguars to Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium on Tuesday, April 20, for the baseball game against in-state rival UCF. Members of the Jaguars, including Rashean Mathis and Nate Hughes, will arrive at Harmon Stadium at 4:45 p.m. to take batting practice with the Ospreys. A couple of the Jaguars will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to start the game, which begins at 7 p.m.

The Ospreys enter the week with a 22-17 overall record, including a 10-5 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Knights head to Jacksonville with a 24-14 overall record and a 6-6 mark in Conference USA.

UNF leads the all-time series with UCF, 7-5. The Ospreys defeated the Knights, 13-6, earlier this season at Jay Bergman Field in Orlando, Fla., on March 3. For the game, North Florida scored 13 runs on 17 hits, including six extra base hits.

Senior Justin Preckajlo recorded his first multi-home run game of his career as he pounded two pitches out of the yard. He finished the game 3-for-4 with two home runs, two runs scored and five runs batted in.

Senior Preston Hale crushed a ball over the scoreboard as part of a six-run eighth inning for the Ospreys. The three-run homer was Hale's first of the season and 17th at UNF. He finished the game 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBI.

After a rough first inning, the Ospreys pitching staff held the Knights to one run over the next eight innings. UNF allowed five runs before recording an out, but then held UCF scoreless over the next six innings.

In their last outing, the Ospreys picked up an 8-7 victory over Kennesaw State.

Offensively, North Florida recorded 14 hits on the day, including a double and a home run. Seniors David Eldredge and Justin Preckajlo each had three hits apiece, while fellow senior Ryan Puskar ended the day with two hits, including a home run. Eldredge led the team with three runs scored, while Puskar scored two runs and drove in two more. Senior T.J. Thompson had one hit, but drove in three runs, including the game-winning RBI.

On the mound, closer Casey Medlen picked up the victory. The junior hurler tossed 1.1 innings of relief. Medlen surrendered two hits without allowing a run and striking out two.

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