Friday, February 15
Jacksonville, Fla.
6:00 p.m.
University of North Florida
vs
West Virginia
Baseball to Opens Season with West Virginia
2/14/2013 5:48:00 PM | Baseball
Game Notes | Live Stats | ASun.TV | Twitter
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team begins the 2013 campaign with a three-game series at home against West Virginia. The series begins on Friday, Feb. 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The weekend continues with a game on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1:00 p.m. and concludes on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 12:00 p.m.
The Ospreys enter the season with a good mix of veteran players and new young talent. The Ospreys return 19 letterwinners off of last season's team, including seven starting position players and three starting pitchers. UNF had four players selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference Team. Corey Bass, Tyler Marincov, Tyler Moore and Joe Wielbruda were each selected to the preseason team as announced by the conference office. In addition, North Florida was picked fifth in the A-Sun Preseason Poll. Moore, who was a 2012 All-ASun selection, won the Fan-Voted Preseason Pitcher of the Year award.
Head coach Smoke Laval is entering his third season at the helm of the North Florida baseball team. Last season, the Ospreys finished the year 31-24 overall, marking the 21st winning season in the program's 25-year history. UNF was 17-9 at Harmon Stadium in 2012, including a 10-5 victory over No. 1 Florida, for the 23rd time in program history with a winning home record.
Scouting the Ospreys:
Catcher
The Ospreys return Preseason All-Atlantic Sun catcher Corey Bass to the field for his final season. Bass, a three-year letterwinner for the Ospreys, playing in 98 games with 78 starts to his credit, enters the 2013 season as a career .272 hitter with 85 hits, including 12 doubles and four home runs. The Orlando native is regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the league with just 10 errors in 617 total chances for a fielding percentage of .984. Bass has thrown out 26 batters in his career with double digit caught stealing each of the last two seasons. The senior catcher directs a pitching staff that ranked third in the conference with a 3.47 earned run average in 2012, surrendering the least amount of earn runs (187) among the A-Sun and issuing the second fewest walks (159), while striking out the fourth most batters (396).
Bass will be assisted in the catching duties by Peyton Walsh. Walsh is a transfer from Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. While at DSC, he was named All-District (Second Team), Male Academic Team of Nation, Mid-Florida Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Daytona State Academic Hall of Fame, Baseball Offensive Player of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year, FSCAA All-Academic and Mid-Florida Conference All-Academic.
First Base
Returners Ryan Roberson and Spencer Herrmann will see a majority of the action at first base with freshman Corbin Olmstead seeing time at the corner.
Last season, Roberson played in 46 games on the season, making 44 starts. He boasted a .330 batting average, going 49-for-153 with eight doubles, five home runs, 16 runs scored and 39 runs batted in. Roberson registered a .471 slugging percentage and a .376 on-base percentage. He led the team in sacrifice bunts and stolen base percentage; finished second on the team in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and runs batted in; third on the team in batting average and sacrifice flies; fourth on the team in home runs; and fifth on the team in hits, doubles, total bases, total plate appearances, at bats, games played and games started.
In his rookie season, Herrmann boasted a .667 batting average, going 8-for-12 with three doubles, a triple, a run scored and seven runs batted in. He recorded a slugging percentage of 1.083 and an on-base percentage of .667. Herrmann had a season-best three hits against Jacksonville and added hits against Savannah State, Florida A&M, Stetson, The Citadel and Jacksonville. The Jacksonville native recorded doubles against Savannah State, Florida A&M and The Citadel, while tripling against Jacksonville. Herrmann drove in a season-high two runs against both Florida A&M and Jacksonville.
Olmstead lettered at Thomas Jefferson High School. He led the Dragons to back-to-back Regional appearances, winning District Championships in 2010 and 2011. Olmstead helped TJHS to 52 victories in three seasons and was named All-District as a sophomore (Honorable Mention) and as a junior (First Team), as well as All-Area as a sophomore (Second Team) and as a junior (First Team). In addition, the Tampa native was named Perfect Game MVP at both the Labor Day Classic and Memorial Day Classic and tabbed 2010 Prospect Wire Fall State MVP, as well as Under Armour All-American in 2011 and 2012.
Second Base
Wielbruda, a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection, will start at second base for the Ospreys. In his first season with UNF, Wielbruda finished the season ranked in the NCAA in toughest to strike out (42nd). He boasted a .332 batting average, going 66-for-199 with six doubles, two triples, 36 runs scored and 22 runs batted in, registering a .382 slugging percentage and a .373 on-base percentage. Wielbruda finished the season first on the team in assists; second on the team in batting average, hits and fielding double plays; third on the team in runs scored, triples, sacrifice bunts, at bats and total chances; fourth on the team in total bases, hit by pitch, stolen bases, total plate appearances, games played and games started; and fifth on the team in runs batted in. The Youngstown, Ohio native led the team with 21 multiple hit games to go along with five multiple RBI games. Wielbruda was one of just four Ospreys to post a double-digit hit streak, finishing with a 10-game hitting streak.
Shortstop
Newcomer Kyle Brooks will be the Ospreys starter at shortstop. Brooks lettered at Santa Fe High School, helping the Raiders to the 2011 District Championship. He earned All-State as a junior, All-District as a senior, All-Area as a sophomore and All-Region as a freshman. Brooks was named All-Area Player of the Year (Big School). He hit .484 as a junior with six home runs and 15 stolen bases and .366 as a senior with four home runs and 19 stolen bases. In addition, off the field, Brooks was an honor student.
Third Base
For the second consecutive year, there will be a Karmeris at third base. This season Paul Karmeris replaces older brother Andrew (2009-12) at the hot corner. Last season, P. Karmeris played in 38 games on the season, making 32 starts. He registered a .276 batting average, going 37-for-134 with seven doubles, a triple and two home runs with 19 runs scored and 16 runs batted in. P. Karmeris finished third on the team in stolen bases; fourth on the team in triples; and fifth on the team in batting average. Defensively, he was third on the team in putouts and fourth in total chances. The senior recorded 12 multiple hit games with four multiple RBI games and was one of four Ospreys to post a double-digit hit streak on the year, finishing with the second longest streak of the season at 13 games. He went 19-for-56 (.339) during 12-game hitting streak with seven doubles, a triple, a home run, 11 runs scored, nine RBI and six multi-hit games.
P. Karmeris will be backed up at third by either Olmstead or Roberson.
Outfield
North Florida returns its entire outfield from a season ago. Drew Weeks returns in left field while Alex Bacon will start in center field. Marincov, a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun selection, will have the honors in right field. Newcomer Donnie Dewees and veteran Garrick Ferguson will also see time in the outfield for the Ospreys, providing much needed depth.
Weeks played in 38 games during rookie campaign, making 37 starts – the most among Osprey freshmen. He recorded a .287 batting average, going 37-for-129 with 10 doubles, a triple, a home run, 23 runs scored and 18 runs batted in, while boasting a .403 slugging percentage and a .365 on-base percentage. Weeks recorded 11 multiple hit games and two multiple RBI games. The Green Cove Springs, Fla. native finished second on the team in hit by pitch; third on the team in doubles and sacrifice flies; fourth on the team in batting average, on-base percentage, triples, sacrifice bunts and stolen bases; and fifth on the team in slugging percentage and runs scored.
Bacon, a 2011 Freshman All-American and the 2011 A-Sun Freshman of the Year, added another solid season to his resume. The Tampa native was one of just three players to play and start in all 55 games on the season. He led the team in sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies, games played and games started; second on the team in doubles and hit by pitch; third on the team in slugging percentage, home runs, total bases, walks and total plate appearances; fourth on the team in runs scored, hits, runs batted in, triples, at bats, multiple hit games and multiple RBI games; and fifth on the team in on-base percentage and putouts. Bacon finished the year with a .272 batting average, going 52-for-191 with 30 runs scored, 12 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 25 RBI, while boasting a .440 slugging percentage and a .349 on-base percentage. He notched 14 multiple hit games with six multiple RBI games.
Marincov, who was a unanimous choice for preseason honors, finished the 2012 season ranked in NCAA in home runs (122nd) and slugging percentage (137th). He was one of just three players to play and start in all 55 games during the season. The junior boasted a .332 batting average, going 68-for-205 with 10 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 41 runs scored and 40 runs batted in, while registering a .541 slugging percentage with a .409 on-base percentage. Marincov led the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs batted in, home runs, total bases, walks, sacrifice flies, stolen bases games played and games started; second on the team in runs scored, triples, total plate appearances and at bats; third on the team in doubles; and fourth on the team in hit by pitch. He reached base safely in 51 of 55 games, boasting hits in 41 games. The outfielder led the team with 21 multiple hit games and second on the team with 10 multiple RBI games, while recording the longest hitting streak of the season at 14 games. During his 14-game hitting streak, Marincov went 30-for-57 (.526) with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, 15 runs scored, 20 runs batted in, including 10 multiple hit games, of which, had six games with three hits. He was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week on March 12.
Dewees lettered at Crystal River High School where he was named First Team All-Area as a sophomore and a junior, being tabbed All-County Player of the Year during his sophomore season. As a freshman, he was tabbed Most Valuable Player; as a sophomore, was named Offensive Player of the Year; and as a junior, was deemed Defensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Dewees boasted a .487 batting average (38-for-78) with 26 runs, 17 runs batted in, seven doubles, four triples and 10 stolen bases, while as a junior, he hit .387 (29-for-75) with 26 runs, 18 RBI, two doubles, two triples and 14 stolen bases. As a senior, the Crystal River, Fla. native hit .410 with 14 doubles, six triples, four home runs, while adding 12 stolen bases.
Ferguson, a two-time Atlantic Sun All-Academic team member, played in 27 games on the year, making eight starts in the outfield. He finished the season with a .293 batting average, going 12-for-41 with three doubles and a pair of home runs, including a grand slam. Ferguson finished the year with 19 runs scored and eight runs batted in and was a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen bases. He had a season-best two hits against South Alabama, FIU and Florida Gulf Coast. Ferguson hit the game-winning walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift the Ospreys to a 7-3 victory. He hit his second home run against FIU, while recording doubles against Florida A&M, South Alabama and Lipscomb. Ferguson scored a season-best four runs against Florida A&M, while driving in a season-high four runs against South Alabama.
Designated Hitter
The Ospreys have a bevy of talent to choose from at the designated hitter position. Olmstead will see time as the DH primarily against left-handed pitchers, while Herrmann, Dewees and Nick Karmeris will see action against righties.
N. Karmeris, who did not compete during the season, taking a redshirt, lettered for Palm Beach Gardens High School. He played in the Dick Howser All-Star Game as a senior. N. Karmeris helped the Gators to the postseason as a senior. His biggest play was a diving catch to end the game against Pace to secure a 4-3 victory. The versatile Karmeris played first base, outfield and pitched.
Starting Pitcher
North Florida returns its entire starting rotation from last season. The trio of Tyler Moore, Kyle Westwood and Michael Renner will once again anchor an impressive pitching staff. In addition, Nick Allbritton, Tommy Organ and David Trexler will battle for starting pitching honors throughout the season.
Moore was named All-Atlantic Sun Conference (Second Team) following the 2012 season. He finished season ranked in NCAA in hits allowed per nine innings (27th), strikeouts per nine innings (31st), earned run average (35th), WHIP (43rd), strikeouts (80th) and complete games (83rd). In his sophomore campaign, Moore made 18 appearances with nine starts and three complete games. He finished the season with a 7-3 record and a team-best three saves, while boasting a 2.16 earned run average in 79.0 innings allowing 29 runs (19 earned runs) with 88 strikeouts compared to just 24 walks. The Ormond Beach native led the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, win-loss percentage, wins, saves, batters struck out and batters struck out looking; second on team in innings pitched and games finished; third in appearances; and fourth in games started and games in relief. Moore boasted six games with eight or more strikeouts, including five of his last six outings. He recorded a season-best 11 strikeouts in a complete game effort against Lipscomb. Moore was named Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week on March 5.
Westwood finished the season ranked in the NCAA in complete games (44th), earned run average (155th), strikeouts (191st) and strikeouts per nine innings (225th). He recorded a 2.84 earned run average, making 13 appearances on the year with a team-best 12 starts, finishing with a 6-4 record. Westwood tossed 85.2 innings with 73 strikeouts compared to just 19 walks. The Tarpon Springs, Fla. native finished first on the team in innings pitched and games started; second on the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, win-loss percentage, wins, batters struck out and batters struck out looking; fourth on the team in games finished; and fifth on the team in appearances. He topped double-digit strikeouts in a pair of games and posted five or more Ks in 10 appearances. Westwood recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts against East Tennessee State, working 6.2 innings en route to a victory and topped his season mark with 11 strikeouts in a complete game 6-0 shutout against Lipscomb en route to A-Sun Pitcher of the Week accolades. He did not issue a walk against the Bisons. Westwood posted nine Ks against Florida Gulf Coast and registered an eight strikeout performance against Georgia Southern. Westwood showed his command with eight appearances with one walk or less and 11 games with two or less free passes.
Renner, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, finished the season ranked in the NCAA in walks allowed per nine innings (49th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (73rd). The junior college transfer made 12 appearances on the year for the Ospreys, starting a dozen games. He finished the season with a 3-7 record and a 4.44 earned run average, tossing 75.0 innings with one complete game. Renner struck out 50 batters compared to just 12 walks. He led the team in games started and finished third on the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, innings pitched, batters struck out and batters struck out looking. The southpaw had five outings with five or more strikeouts. Renner struck out nine batters against both Jacksonville State and Mercer, while posting six strikeouts against Georgia Southern and Florida Gulf Coast, and fanning five batters at Belmont.
Allbritton, who was a member of the 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team, made 15 appearances on the mound with three starts to his credit. He recorded a 2-1 record with a save. Allbritton boasted a 3.19 earned run average in 36.2 innings, striking out 30 batters with just 18 walks. The junior college transfer had a season-best four strikeouts four times on the season – vs. Southern Illinois, at Jacksonville State, at Georgia Southern and vs. South Alabama. Allbritton allowed one or fewer earned runs in 12 of 15 appearances. He earned his first victory as an Osprey in a controlled start against Savannah State, throwing 4.0 innings against the Tigers, allowing just one run on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks as UNF cruised to an 18-2 victory. He tossed 3.1 innings of relief against Florida A&M to pick up second win of season, allowing no runs on a pair of hits with two strikeouts in the 8-3 victory. Allbritton needed just four pitches in 0.1 innings of relief to record a strikeout and earn a save in North Florida's 5-4 win over Mercer.
Organ made 13 appearances on the year with 10 starts. He finished the year with a 4-2 record and a 3.86 earned run average, recording 48 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work. Organ finished the season third on the team in wins and games started and fourth in batters struck out. The southpaw recorded five or more strikeouts six times during the season, highlighted by a season-high nine Ks against The Citadel. Organ notched seven strikeouts against Jacksonville State and six strikeouts against Florida A&M and USC Upstate. He had five strikeouts against both South Alabama and East Tennessee State. Organ picked up first victory of the season on the road against Jacksonville State, tossing 5.2 innings with seven Ks compared to just one walk. The Tarpon Springs, Fla. native pitched a complete game (7.0 innings) against USC Upstate in the second game of a doubleheader, striking out six for his second victory of the year. Organ threw 4.0 innings in a controlled start against Florida A&M for win No. 3 and defeated The Citadel for fourth win of the year.
Trexler was a member of the Florida State baseball team (2010, 2011) and played baseball at Gulf Coast State College (2012) before transferring to North Florida. He helped the Commodores to a 32-16 overall record. Trexler made 14 appearances on the mound in 2012, tossing 82.1 innings with 78 strikeouts, a 2.95 ERA and a 6-1 record. He was named First Team All-Panhandle Conference.
Relief Pitchers
This season the Ospreys' bullpen is loaded with a slew of arms. Olmstead will serve as the closer to start the season. In addition, UNF will have Jamie Cardwell, Trey Ferrano, Jake Fossick, Evan Incinelli, Ryan McMahon, Nick Miller and Marshal Rosenberger available for short or long relief.
Cardwell, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, made seven relief appearances on the year and boasted a 1.69 earned run average, allowing just two earned runs in 10.2 innings of work. He struck out five batters on the year, including a season-best two Ks in 2.2 innings of work against No. 1 Florida. Cardwell also had strikeouts against FIU, Lipscomb and The Citadel. He did not allow an earned run in six of his seven appearances.
Ferrano, a three-time A-Sun All-Academic team honoree, made nine appearances on the year, all in relief. He tossed 9.2 innings with seven strikeouts. Ferrano did not allow an earned run in six of nine appearances. He posted a season-best two strikeouts against Southern Illinois, Florida A&M and Mercer, while also recording a strikeout against The Citadel. Ferrano tossed a season-high 1.2 innings against Florida A&M and No. 1 Florida.
Fossick, who was slowed in the offseason by an injury, was a letterwinner at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla.. He helped the Fighting Tarpons to the playoffs all four years of high school, reaching the Regionals as a freshman. Fossick helped the team nearly triple its win total from sophomore year to junior year. He was tabbed All-State (Second Team) as a senior and named Perfect Game Preseason High Honorable Mention in 2011. Fossick was tabbed WWBA All-Tournament Team in 2011. He recorded 37 strikeouts in just 32.1 innings of work as a junior and 38 punchouts in 29 innings as a senior. Fossick tossed 7.0 innings, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits and no runs against the Dulin Dodgers.
Incinelli, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, made five appearances in rookie campaign with one start. He recorded an 11.17 earned run average in 9.2 innings, striking out two batters. He worked a season-best 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball against Florida A&M surrendering a walk and registering a strikeout. He also had a strikeout against The Citadel. Incinelli worked 2.2 innings against FIU and 2.1 innings against The Citadel. He made first collegiate start against FIU and first collegiate appearance against Southern Illinois.
McMahon made six appearances on the season, all in relief. He recorded a 1.93 earned run average, allowing just one run in 4.2 innings pitched. McMahon struck out three batters – all against Florida A&M. He did not allow a run in five of six appearances.
Miller played two seasons at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla.. He played in 16 games as a freshman, tossing 46.0 innings with 34 strikeouts and a pair of victories. As a sophomore, Miller made 16 appearances with eight starts, tossing 62.2 innings with 50 strikeouts, a 3.88 ERA and a 5-2 record.
Rosenberger, who has battled injuries throughout his North Florida career, did not compete during the 2012 season. In 2011, he made 10 appearances with three starts, posting a 3-0 record with a save. Rosenberger was a perfect 3-0 as a starter. He registered a 6.54 ERA in 31.2 innings, allowing 31 hits and surrendering 23 runs. Rosenberger struck out 22 batters, holding opponents to a .254 batting average. He ranked third on the team in saves and fifth in victories. Eight of the 10 games Rosenberger pitched in were won by the Ospreys.
In addition, Tyler Dupont, Patrick Ervin, Sean Moore, Alex Smith and Alex Stettner are slated to redshirt during the 2013 season.
Scouting the Opposition:
A new era in West Virginia baseball is set to begin this weekend as first-year coach Randy Mazey will take the Mountaineers to North Florida from Feb. 15-17.
Mazey has tabbed junior right-hander Corey Walter as the Friday night starter for the Mountaineers. Sophomore left-hander Harrison Musgrave will be the Mountaineers' starter on Saturday, and senior right-hander Dan Dierdorff is WVU's Sunday starter.
Walter will be starting his second-consecutive opening day after posting a 6-5 record and a 4.58 ERA last year. Musgrave will be pitching his first game in almost two years as he is returning from Tommy John surgery. Musgrave went 4-2 with a 4.61 ERA in 2011. Dierdorff became a weekend starter midway through the 2012 season and finished as WVU's strikeout leader with 61.
Key returnees from last year's squad include infielders Ryan McBroom and Billy Fleming, outfielders Bobby Boyd and Brady Wilson, catcher Alan Filauro and designated hitter Matt Frazer. Boyd led the Mountaineers in batting average (.321) and stolen bases (23), while McBroom and Frazer each hit a team-high six homers.
A foursome of junior college transfers is expected to come in and immediately help the Mountaineers in the field and at the plate. Michael Constantini and Ryan Tuntland will start at shortstop and third base, respectively, as Jacob Rice and Taylor Munden will likely patrol the outfield.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team begins the 2013 campaign with a three-game series at home against West Virginia. The series begins on Friday, Feb. 15 at 6:00 p.m. at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The weekend continues with a game on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1:00 p.m. and concludes on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 12:00 p.m.
The Ospreys enter the season with a good mix of veteran players and new young talent. The Ospreys return 19 letterwinners off of last season's team, including seven starting position players and three starting pitchers. UNF had four players selected to the Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference Team. Corey Bass, Tyler Marincov, Tyler Moore and Joe Wielbruda were each selected to the preseason team as announced by the conference office. In addition, North Florida was picked fifth in the A-Sun Preseason Poll. Moore, who was a 2012 All-ASun selection, won the Fan-Voted Preseason Pitcher of the Year award.
Head coach Smoke Laval is entering his third season at the helm of the North Florida baseball team. Last season, the Ospreys finished the year 31-24 overall, marking the 21st winning season in the program's 25-year history. UNF was 17-9 at Harmon Stadium in 2012, including a 10-5 victory over No. 1 Florida, for the 23rd time in program history with a winning home record.
Scouting the Ospreys:
Catcher
The Ospreys return Preseason All-Atlantic Sun catcher Corey Bass to the field for his final season. Bass, a three-year letterwinner for the Ospreys, playing in 98 games with 78 starts to his credit, enters the 2013 season as a career .272 hitter with 85 hits, including 12 doubles and four home runs. The Orlando native is regarded as one of the best defensive catchers in the league with just 10 errors in 617 total chances for a fielding percentage of .984. Bass has thrown out 26 batters in his career with double digit caught stealing each of the last two seasons. The senior catcher directs a pitching staff that ranked third in the conference with a 3.47 earned run average in 2012, surrendering the least amount of earn runs (187) among the A-Sun and issuing the second fewest walks (159), while striking out the fourth most batters (396).
Bass will be assisted in the catching duties by Peyton Walsh. Walsh is a transfer from Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla. While at DSC, he was named All-District (Second Team), Male Academic Team of Nation, Mid-Florida Conference Male Student-Athlete of the Year, Daytona State Academic Hall of Fame, Baseball Offensive Player of the Year, Student-Athlete of the Year, FSCAA All-Academic and Mid-Florida Conference All-Academic.
First Base
Returners Ryan Roberson and Spencer Herrmann will see a majority of the action at first base with freshman Corbin Olmstead seeing time at the corner.
Last season, Roberson played in 46 games on the season, making 44 starts. He boasted a .330 batting average, going 49-for-153 with eight doubles, five home runs, 16 runs scored and 39 runs batted in. Roberson registered a .471 slugging percentage and a .376 on-base percentage. He led the team in sacrifice bunts and stolen base percentage; finished second on the team in slugging percentage, on-base percentage and runs batted in; third on the team in batting average and sacrifice flies; fourth on the team in home runs; and fifth on the team in hits, doubles, total bases, total plate appearances, at bats, games played and games started.
In his rookie season, Herrmann boasted a .667 batting average, going 8-for-12 with three doubles, a triple, a run scored and seven runs batted in. He recorded a slugging percentage of 1.083 and an on-base percentage of .667. Herrmann had a season-best three hits against Jacksonville and added hits against Savannah State, Florida A&M, Stetson, The Citadel and Jacksonville. The Jacksonville native recorded doubles against Savannah State, Florida A&M and The Citadel, while tripling against Jacksonville. Herrmann drove in a season-high two runs against both Florida A&M and Jacksonville.
Olmstead lettered at Thomas Jefferson High School. He led the Dragons to back-to-back Regional appearances, winning District Championships in 2010 and 2011. Olmstead helped TJHS to 52 victories in three seasons and was named All-District as a sophomore (Honorable Mention) and as a junior (First Team), as well as All-Area as a sophomore (Second Team) and as a junior (First Team). In addition, the Tampa native was named Perfect Game MVP at both the Labor Day Classic and Memorial Day Classic and tabbed 2010 Prospect Wire Fall State MVP, as well as Under Armour All-American in 2011 and 2012.
Second Base
Wielbruda, a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun Conference selection, will start at second base for the Ospreys. In his first season with UNF, Wielbruda finished the season ranked in the NCAA in toughest to strike out (42nd). He boasted a .332 batting average, going 66-for-199 with six doubles, two triples, 36 runs scored and 22 runs batted in, registering a .382 slugging percentage and a .373 on-base percentage. Wielbruda finished the season first on the team in assists; second on the team in batting average, hits and fielding double plays; third on the team in runs scored, triples, sacrifice bunts, at bats and total chances; fourth on the team in total bases, hit by pitch, stolen bases, total plate appearances, games played and games started; and fifth on the team in runs batted in. The Youngstown, Ohio native led the team with 21 multiple hit games to go along with five multiple RBI games. Wielbruda was one of just four Ospreys to post a double-digit hit streak, finishing with a 10-game hitting streak.
Shortstop
Newcomer Kyle Brooks will be the Ospreys starter at shortstop. Brooks lettered at Santa Fe High School, helping the Raiders to the 2011 District Championship. He earned All-State as a junior, All-District as a senior, All-Area as a sophomore and All-Region as a freshman. Brooks was named All-Area Player of the Year (Big School). He hit .484 as a junior with six home runs and 15 stolen bases and .366 as a senior with four home runs and 19 stolen bases. In addition, off the field, Brooks was an honor student.
Third Base
For the second consecutive year, there will be a Karmeris at third base. This season Paul Karmeris replaces older brother Andrew (2009-12) at the hot corner. Last season, P. Karmeris played in 38 games on the season, making 32 starts. He registered a .276 batting average, going 37-for-134 with seven doubles, a triple and two home runs with 19 runs scored and 16 runs batted in. P. Karmeris finished third on the team in stolen bases; fourth on the team in triples; and fifth on the team in batting average. Defensively, he was third on the team in putouts and fourth in total chances. The senior recorded 12 multiple hit games with four multiple RBI games and was one of four Ospreys to post a double-digit hit streak on the year, finishing with the second longest streak of the season at 13 games. He went 19-for-56 (.339) during 12-game hitting streak with seven doubles, a triple, a home run, 11 runs scored, nine RBI and six multi-hit games.
P. Karmeris will be backed up at third by either Olmstead or Roberson.
Outfield
North Florida returns its entire outfield from a season ago. Drew Weeks returns in left field while Alex Bacon will start in center field. Marincov, a Preseason All-Atlantic Sun selection, will have the honors in right field. Newcomer Donnie Dewees and veteran Garrick Ferguson will also see time in the outfield for the Ospreys, providing much needed depth.
Weeks played in 38 games during rookie campaign, making 37 starts – the most among Osprey freshmen. He recorded a .287 batting average, going 37-for-129 with 10 doubles, a triple, a home run, 23 runs scored and 18 runs batted in, while boasting a .403 slugging percentage and a .365 on-base percentage. Weeks recorded 11 multiple hit games and two multiple RBI games. The Green Cove Springs, Fla. native finished second on the team in hit by pitch; third on the team in doubles and sacrifice flies; fourth on the team in batting average, on-base percentage, triples, sacrifice bunts and stolen bases; and fifth on the team in slugging percentage and runs scored.
Bacon, a 2011 Freshman All-American and the 2011 A-Sun Freshman of the Year, added another solid season to his resume. The Tampa native was one of just three players to play and start in all 55 games on the season. He led the team in sacrifice bunts, sacrifice flies, games played and games started; second on the team in doubles and hit by pitch; third on the team in slugging percentage, home runs, total bases, walks and total plate appearances; fourth on the team in runs scored, hits, runs batted in, triples, at bats, multiple hit games and multiple RBI games; and fifth on the team in on-base percentage and putouts. Bacon finished the year with a .272 batting average, going 52-for-191 with 30 runs scored, 12 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 25 RBI, while boasting a .440 slugging percentage and a .349 on-base percentage. He notched 14 multiple hit games with six multiple RBI games.
Marincov, who was a unanimous choice for preseason honors, finished the 2012 season ranked in NCAA in home runs (122nd) and slugging percentage (137th). He was one of just three players to play and start in all 55 games during the season. The junior boasted a .332 batting average, going 68-for-205 with 10 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 41 runs scored and 40 runs batted in, while registering a .541 slugging percentage with a .409 on-base percentage. Marincov led the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, hits, runs batted in, home runs, total bases, walks, sacrifice flies, stolen bases games played and games started; second on the team in runs scored, triples, total plate appearances and at bats; third on the team in doubles; and fourth on the team in hit by pitch. He reached base safely in 51 of 55 games, boasting hits in 41 games. The outfielder led the team with 21 multiple hit games and second on the team with 10 multiple RBI games, while recording the longest hitting streak of the season at 14 games. During his 14-game hitting streak, Marincov went 30-for-57 (.526) with four doubles, a triple, four home runs, 15 runs scored, 20 runs batted in, including 10 multiple hit games, of which, had six games with three hits. He was named Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Week on March 12.
Dewees lettered at Crystal River High School where he was named First Team All-Area as a sophomore and a junior, being tabbed All-County Player of the Year during his sophomore season. As a freshman, he was tabbed Most Valuable Player; as a sophomore, was named Offensive Player of the Year; and as a junior, was deemed Defensive Player of the Year. As a sophomore, Dewees boasted a .487 batting average (38-for-78) with 26 runs, 17 runs batted in, seven doubles, four triples and 10 stolen bases, while as a junior, he hit .387 (29-for-75) with 26 runs, 18 RBI, two doubles, two triples and 14 stolen bases. As a senior, the Crystal River, Fla. native hit .410 with 14 doubles, six triples, four home runs, while adding 12 stolen bases.
Ferguson, a two-time Atlantic Sun All-Academic team member, played in 27 games on the year, making eight starts in the outfield. He finished the season with a .293 batting average, going 12-for-41 with three doubles and a pair of home runs, including a grand slam. Ferguson finished the year with 19 runs scored and eight runs batted in and was a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen bases. He had a season-best two hits against South Alabama, FIU and Florida Gulf Coast. Ferguson hit the game-winning walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift the Ospreys to a 7-3 victory. He hit his second home run against FIU, while recording doubles against Florida A&M, South Alabama and Lipscomb. Ferguson scored a season-best four runs against Florida A&M, while driving in a season-high four runs against South Alabama.
Designated Hitter
The Ospreys have a bevy of talent to choose from at the designated hitter position. Olmstead will see time as the DH primarily against left-handed pitchers, while Herrmann, Dewees and Nick Karmeris will see action against righties.
N. Karmeris, who did not compete during the season, taking a redshirt, lettered for Palm Beach Gardens High School. He played in the Dick Howser All-Star Game as a senior. N. Karmeris helped the Gators to the postseason as a senior. His biggest play was a diving catch to end the game against Pace to secure a 4-3 victory. The versatile Karmeris played first base, outfield and pitched.
Starting Pitcher
North Florida returns its entire starting rotation from last season. The trio of Tyler Moore, Kyle Westwood and Michael Renner will once again anchor an impressive pitching staff. In addition, Nick Allbritton, Tommy Organ and David Trexler will battle for starting pitching honors throughout the season.
Moore was named All-Atlantic Sun Conference (Second Team) following the 2012 season. He finished season ranked in NCAA in hits allowed per nine innings (27th), strikeouts per nine innings (31st), earned run average (35th), WHIP (43rd), strikeouts (80th) and complete games (83rd). In his sophomore campaign, Moore made 18 appearances with nine starts and three complete games. He finished the season with a 7-3 record and a team-best three saves, while boasting a 2.16 earned run average in 79.0 innings allowing 29 runs (19 earned runs) with 88 strikeouts compared to just 24 walks. The Ormond Beach native led the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, win-loss percentage, wins, saves, batters struck out and batters struck out looking; second on team in innings pitched and games finished; third in appearances; and fourth in games started and games in relief. Moore boasted six games with eight or more strikeouts, including five of his last six outings. He recorded a season-best 11 strikeouts in a complete game effort against Lipscomb. Moore was named Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Week on March 5.
Westwood finished the season ranked in the NCAA in complete games (44th), earned run average (155th), strikeouts (191st) and strikeouts per nine innings (225th). He recorded a 2.84 earned run average, making 13 appearances on the year with a team-best 12 starts, finishing with a 6-4 record. Westwood tossed 85.2 innings with 73 strikeouts compared to just 19 walks. The Tarpon Springs, Fla. native finished first on the team in innings pitched and games started; second on the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, win-loss percentage, wins, batters struck out and batters struck out looking; fourth on the team in games finished; and fifth on the team in appearances. He topped double-digit strikeouts in a pair of games and posted five or more Ks in 10 appearances. Westwood recorded a season-high 10 strikeouts against East Tennessee State, working 6.2 innings en route to a victory and topped his season mark with 11 strikeouts in a complete game 6-0 shutout against Lipscomb en route to A-Sun Pitcher of the Week accolades. He did not issue a walk against the Bisons. Westwood posted nine Ks against Florida Gulf Coast and registered an eight strikeout performance against Georgia Southern. Westwood showed his command with eight appearances with one walk or less and 11 games with two or less free passes.
Renner, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, finished the season ranked in the NCAA in walks allowed per nine innings (49th) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (73rd). The junior college transfer made 12 appearances on the year for the Ospreys, starting a dozen games. He finished the season with a 3-7 record and a 4.44 earned run average, tossing 75.0 innings with one complete game. Renner struck out 50 batters compared to just 12 walks. He led the team in games started and finished third on the team in earned run average, opposing batting average, innings pitched, batters struck out and batters struck out looking. The southpaw had five outings with five or more strikeouts. Renner struck out nine batters against both Jacksonville State and Mercer, while posting six strikeouts against Georgia Southern and Florida Gulf Coast, and fanning five batters at Belmont.
Allbritton, who was a member of the 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team, made 15 appearances on the mound with three starts to his credit. He recorded a 2-1 record with a save. Allbritton boasted a 3.19 earned run average in 36.2 innings, striking out 30 batters with just 18 walks. The junior college transfer had a season-best four strikeouts four times on the season – vs. Southern Illinois, at Jacksonville State, at Georgia Southern and vs. South Alabama. Allbritton allowed one or fewer earned runs in 12 of 15 appearances. He earned his first victory as an Osprey in a controlled start against Savannah State, throwing 4.0 innings against the Tigers, allowing just one run on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks as UNF cruised to an 18-2 victory. He tossed 3.1 innings of relief against Florida A&M to pick up second win of season, allowing no runs on a pair of hits with two strikeouts in the 8-3 victory. Allbritton needed just four pitches in 0.1 innings of relief to record a strikeout and earn a save in North Florida's 5-4 win over Mercer.
Organ made 13 appearances on the year with 10 starts. He finished the year with a 4-2 record and a 3.86 earned run average, recording 48 strikeouts in 53.2 innings of work. Organ finished the season third on the team in wins and games started and fourth in batters struck out. The southpaw recorded five or more strikeouts six times during the season, highlighted by a season-high nine Ks against The Citadel. Organ notched seven strikeouts against Jacksonville State and six strikeouts against Florida A&M and USC Upstate. He had five strikeouts against both South Alabama and East Tennessee State. Organ picked up first victory of the season on the road against Jacksonville State, tossing 5.2 innings with seven Ks compared to just one walk. The Tarpon Springs, Fla. native pitched a complete game (7.0 innings) against USC Upstate in the second game of a doubleheader, striking out six for his second victory of the year. Organ threw 4.0 innings in a controlled start against Florida A&M for win No. 3 and defeated The Citadel for fourth win of the year.
Trexler was a member of the Florida State baseball team (2010, 2011) and played baseball at Gulf Coast State College (2012) before transferring to North Florida. He helped the Commodores to a 32-16 overall record. Trexler made 14 appearances on the mound in 2012, tossing 82.1 innings with 78 strikeouts, a 2.95 ERA and a 6-1 record. He was named First Team All-Panhandle Conference.
Relief Pitchers
This season the Ospreys' bullpen is loaded with a slew of arms. Olmstead will serve as the closer to start the season. In addition, UNF will have Jamie Cardwell, Trey Ferrano, Jake Fossick, Evan Incinelli, Ryan McMahon, Nick Miller and Marshal Rosenberger available for short or long relief.
Cardwell, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, made seven relief appearances on the year and boasted a 1.69 earned run average, allowing just two earned runs in 10.2 innings of work. He struck out five batters on the year, including a season-best two Ks in 2.2 innings of work against No. 1 Florida. Cardwell also had strikeouts against FIU, Lipscomb and The Citadel. He did not allow an earned run in six of his seven appearances.
Ferrano, a three-time A-Sun All-Academic team honoree, made nine appearances on the year, all in relief. He tossed 9.2 innings with seven strikeouts. Ferrano did not allow an earned run in six of nine appearances. He posted a season-best two strikeouts against Southern Illinois, Florida A&M and Mercer, while also recording a strikeout against The Citadel. Ferrano tossed a season-high 1.2 innings against Florida A&M and No. 1 Florida.
Fossick, who was slowed in the offseason by an injury, was a letterwinner at Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla.. He helped the Fighting Tarpons to the playoffs all four years of high school, reaching the Regionals as a freshman. Fossick helped the team nearly triple its win total from sophomore year to junior year. He was tabbed All-State (Second Team) as a senior and named Perfect Game Preseason High Honorable Mention in 2011. Fossick was tabbed WWBA All-Tournament Team in 2011. He recorded 37 strikeouts in just 32.1 innings of work as a junior and 38 punchouts in 29 innings as a senior. Fossick tossed 7.0 innings, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits and no runs against the Dulin Dodgers.
Incinelli, a 2012 Atlantic Sun Conference All-Academic team member, made five appearances in rookie campaign with one start. He recorded an 11.17 earned run average in 9.2 innings, striking out two batters. He worked a season-best 3.0 innings of scoreless baseball against Florida A&M surrendering a walk and registering a strikeout. He also had a strikeout against The Citadel. Incinelli worked 2.2 innings against FIU and 2.1 innings against The Citadel. He made first collegiate start against FIU and first collegiate appearance against Southern Illinois.
McMahon made six appearances on the season, all in relief. He recorded a 1.93 earned run average, allowing just one run in 4.2 innings pitched. McMahon struck out three batters – all against Florida A&M. He did not allow a run in five of six appearances.
Miller played two seasons at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Fla.. He played in 16 games as a freshman, tossing 46.0 innings with 34 strikeouts and a pair of victories. As a sophomore, Miller made 16 appearances with eight starts, tossing 62.2 innings with 50 strikeouts, a 3.88 ERA and a 5-2 record.
Rosenberger, who has battled injuries throughout his North Florida career, did not compete during the 2012 season. In 2011, he made 10 appearances with three starts, posting a 3-0 record with a save. Rosenberger was a perfect 3-0 as a starter. He registered a 6.54 ERA in 31.2 innings, allowing 31 hits and surrendering 23 runs. Rosenberger struck out 22 batters, holding opponents to a .254 batting average. He ranked third on the team in saves and fifth in victories. Eight of the 10 games Rosenberger pitched in were won by the Ospreys.
In addition, Tyler Dupont, Patrick Ervin, Sean Moore, Alex Smith and Alex Stettner are slated to redshirt during the 2013 season.
Scouting the Opposition:
A new era in West Virginia baseball is set to begin this weekend as first-year coach Randy Mazey will take the Mountaineers to North Florida from Feb. 15-17.
Mazey has tabbed junior right-hander Corey Walter as the Friday night starter for the Mountaineers. Sophomore left-hander Harrison Musgrave will be the Mountaineers' starter on Saturday, and senior right-hander Dan Dierdorff is WVU's Sunday starter.
Walter will be starting his second-consecutive opening day after posting a 6-5 record and a 4.58 ERA last year. Musgrave will be pitching his first game in almost two years as he is returning from Tommy John surgery. Musgrave went 4-2 with a 4.61 ERA in 2011. Dierdorff became a weekend starter midway through the 2012 season and finished as WVU's strikeout leader with 61.
Key returnees from last year's squad include infielders Ryan McBroom and Billy Fleming, outfielders Bobby Boyd and Brady Wilson, catcher Alan Filauro and designated hitter Matt Frazer. Boyd led the Mountaineers in batting average (.321) and stolen bases (23), while McBroom and Frazer each hit a team-high six homers.
A foursome of junior college transfers is expected to come in and immediately help the Mountaineers in the field and at the plate. Michael Constantini and Ryan Tuntland will start at shortstop and third base, respectively, as Jacob Rice and Taylor Munden will likely patrol the outfield.
Friday, February 13
Tuesday, February 10
Tuesday, February 10
Tuesday, February 10
