JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Home for the first time since Feb. 25, North Florida (6-8) will be at Harmon Stadium to host a three-game set against Fairfield (0-0) this weekend. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and wrap up the series on Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
| Date | Time | Location | Coverage |
| Sat. Mar. 7 | 1:00 p.m. | Harmon Stadium | Live Stats |
| Sat. Mar. 7 | 3:30 p.m. | Harmon Stadium | Live Stats |
| Sun. Mar. 8 | 11:30 a.m. | Harmon Stadium | Live Stats |
Probable Starting PitchersSaturday (Game 1)UNF - RHP
Tyler Moore (0-2, 4.50 ERA, 16 IP, 7 BB, 11 SO)
Fairfield - RHP EJ Ashworth (6-2, 2.85 ERA, 82 IP, 18 BB, 47 SO)**
Saturday (Game 2)UNF - LHP
Tyler DuPont (2-0 2.41 ERA, 18.2 IP, 5 BB 12 SO)
Fairfield - LHP Tucker Panciera (7-3, 3.98 ERA, 43 IP, 23 BB, 29 SO)**
SundayUNF - RHP
Bryan Baker (0-1, 2.46 ERA, 14.2 IP, 10 BB, 13 SO)
Fairfield - RHP Mike Wallace (5-5, 3.32 ERA, 86.2 IP, 15 BB, 54 SO)**
**2014 Season Stats Opening Day: Saturday will be the first two games of the season for Fairfield who have been battling the weather in the northeast. The Stags had six games cancelled already, a series against Georgetown in Rockville, Md. and last weekend against William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. After Jacksonville, the Stags will stay in the Sunshine State to take on No. 2 Florida in the midweek and No. 9 UCF next weekend.
National Rankings: The Ospreys are currently ranked 9th in the country with 141 hits this season. They average 10.5 hits per game and clubbed a 21 against VMI back on Feb. 14. In the field, the Ospreys lead the Atlantic Sun and have the 16th highest fielding percentage in the country (.982).
Near Upsets: After playing five games against nationally ranked opponents last season, the Ospreys got their first crack in the midweek taking on No. 24 FAU. On Tuesday North Florida spoiled a two-run lead in the top of the 12th, falling 8-7 in walk-off fashion. Despite out-hitting the Owls on Wednesday, FAU emerged 3-2 winners thanks to another late inning rally. The Ospreys have now lost their last three games by one run, all in which their opponent has scored in their final at bat. FAU overcame eight errors in the two game series and have taken the last four games against North Florida.
Chasing History: Senior
Alex Bacon is just 10 hits away from 200 for his career. Just
eight players in program history have reached the 200 hit plateau. Most recently to join was former teammate
Drew Weeks who finished with 203 career hits from 2012-14.
Early Season Rematch: This will be the second year in a row that Fairfield and North Florida square off. The Ospreys took both games of a doubleheader last season in the first two games of the all-time series. The Stags have struggled in Florida, posting a 6-12 record with four of the wins coming against South Florida
Closer Look at Fairfield: The Stags are coming off a program-record, 32 wins last season, the first 30+ win season in program history. It marked the first time Fairfield finished above the .500 mark since 2000. Their top starting pitcher E.J. Ashworth will get the start in game one on Saturday. The righty walked just 18 batters in 82 innings and sported a 2.85 ERA. At the plate Jake Salpietro, drove in 44 runs, scored 36 while posting a .307 batting average. Senior Alex Witkus stole 29 bases last year which was the 13th most in all of Division I last season.
| | |
| Location | Fairfield, Conn. | Jacksonville, Fla. |
| Founded | 1942 | 1965 |
| Enrollment | 3,300 | 16,357 |
| Nickname | Stags | Ospreys |
| Conference | Metro Atlantic | Atlantic Sun |
| 2015 Record | 0-0 | 6-8 |
| Fairfield | North Florida |
| Avg. | .261* | .268 |
| Runs | 277* | 87 |
| Hits | 467* | 141 |
| 2B | 76* | 24 |
| 3B | 13* | 4 |
| HR | 18* | 5 |
| RBI | 237* | 73 |
| BB | 203* | 38 |
| ERA | 3.77* | 4.16 |
| SO | 282* | 117 |
| BB | 165* | 55 |
| FLD % | .970* | .982 |
*2014 Total
