Osprey Baseball Downs Lafayette, Claims Series

Saturday, March 16

Jacksonville, Fla.

1:00 p.m.

University of North Florida

14-6

Lafayette

2-12

Lafayette

North Florida

3/16/2013 4:58:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: North Florida Athletics

Boxscore | Postgame Interview (JoeWielbruda)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The University of North Florida baseball team posted a 7-1 victory over Lafayette on Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium. The win secured the series victory for the Ospreys, who won the first game of the weekend 7-5.

On the mound, starting pitcher Kyle Westwood was in control. The senior scattered six hits and two walks in 5.2 innings of work, surrendering just one run. Westwood tied a career best with 11 strikeouts on the day. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the game, Westwood struck out the next four batters he faced – the most consecutive strikeouts for an Osprey pitcher this season. He had at least two strikeouts for each of the first three innings and eight Ks through four innings. Westwood had at least one strikeout in each inning he pitched, finishing his day with back-to-back punch outs.

He was relieved by Evan Incinelli who picked up his first collegiate save. The sophomore worked 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk with a pair of strikeouts.

Offensively, four Ospreys boasted multiple hits on the day. Joe Wielbruda led the team with four hits on the afternoon, while Kyle Brooks and Drew Weeks each added three hits apiece. Corbin Olmstead also added a pair of base hits. Brooks recorded a pair of triples on the day, while Peyton Walsh added a double. Wielbruda notched a team best two runs scored, while Tyler Marincov and Wielbruda each added a pair of RBI each.

North Florida was the first team to score, scratching with the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning. Wielbruda and Weeks led off the game with back-to-back base hits. The duo successfully executed a double steal to both move into scoring position. Wielbruda came around to score on an RBI groundout. On the play, Weeks advanced to third base. He came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Olmstead, putting UNF in front 2-0.

The Ospreys added a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning. Walsh led off the inning with a double to left field. He advanced to third on a Corey bass sacrifice bunt. Walsh came home to score on a RBI groundout. Brooks followed with his first triple of the ballgame. Wielbruda drove home Brooks with a RBI single to push the score to 4-0.

UNF increased its lead to six with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brooks led off the inning with a triple to right center field. He came around to score on a RBI single up the middle by Wielbruda. Weeks followed with a single off of the shortstop's glove. Wielbruda advanced to third on the play and Weeks advanced to second on the throw to third base to try to retire Wielbruda. Wielbruda came across to score on an RBI groundout to make the game 6-0 in favor of the Ospreys.

Lafayette ended the shutout with a run in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, the Leopards used a walk and a single to place a runner in scoring position. LC's Scott Kelleher delivered a pinch-hit RBI single to break the scoreless streak. Westwood ended the inning without allowing another run with a strikeout.

North Florida responded with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend the lead back to six runs. Marincov was hit by a pitch to start the inning. He stole second base to move into scoring position. Olmstead reached on a fielder's choice to continue the inning. On the play, the Leopards tried to erase Marincov, but the junior was able to slide into third base under the tag, leaving the Ospreys with runners on the corners. UNF was aided by a wild pitch that allowed Marincov to score from third and give the home team a 7-1 advantage that they would not relinquish.

The Ospreys and Leopards conclude the three-game nonconference series with a game on Sunday afternoon at 12:00 p.m. (Noon). Live stats, ASun.TV and in-game tweets (@OspreyBSB) will be available.