JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The second annual Mayor's Cup against Jacksonville University (3-0) will take place on Wednesday evening at Harmon Stadium. North Florida (3-5) won the inaugural challenge last season at John Sessions Stadium, 3-2.
 

Game Information

 

Date	Time	Location	Coverage
Wed., March 2	6:00 p.m.	Harmon Stadium	Live Stats

Out of the Box

Weekend Sweep: North Florida is coming off three-straight, one-run losses at home to the University of Hartford this past weekend. It was the first time the two schools have ever met and the first America East opponent ever for North Florida. The last time the Ospreys were swept at home was  2011 when Kennesaw State took all three in mid-May.
The Mayor's Cup: Wednesday's game between Jacksonville and North Florida will not count as an Atlantic Sun Conference game and is only the second non-conference affair since the two teams joined the Atlantic Sun in 2006. Additionally, the game will not hold any weight in the annual River City Rumble series. The two teams will square off in league play at John Sessions Stadium April 8-10.

Assist Man: Shortstop Kyle Brooks is closing in on the program's all-time career assist record of 571 held by Matt Oxendine (2003-06). He needs just six assists to tie the record and seven to become the all-time leader.

Going Yard: For the second-straight weekend Nick Karmeris and Alex Merritt launched home runs. The duo is responsible for all four of the Osprey long balls this season. Merritt provided the biggest blast of the weekend with a grand slam as part of a six-run second inning on Saturday. Karmeris led off the fourth inning on Sunday with a solo blast to center.

Victims of the Big Inning: North Florida opponents have strung together single-inning rallies of 4 or more runs four times this season. A five-run, fifth inning in Saturday's 9-8 loss to Hartford erased a three-run advantage for the Ospreys.

One-Run Losses: The Ospreys have had the incredible misfortune to be on the losing end of five, one-run games this season. Dating back to last season, 30 of the last 67 games have been decided by two runs or less. Of the Ospreys last 21 losses, 13 of them have by just one run.

Lights Out: Reliever Matthew Naylor leads the team in appearances with five, the most in the Atlantic Sun. The right-hander has allowed just one run in nine innings pitched and leads the team with 13 strikeouts.

Double Play Ball: The Ospreys have turned seven double plays in eight games this season to lead the A-Sun. Last year's 63 double plays turned were the sixth most in the country.

Bat on the Ball: Despite averaging five runs per game, the second lowest in the league, the Ospreys are having little trouble making contact at the plate. North Florida's 79 hits are the most in the A-Sun and the Ospreys strike out 4.12 times per game, the lowest of any A-Sun team.

Series History: Jacksonville holds a 32-24 advantage in the all-time series, however the Ospreys have won three-straight, the longest winning stretch for North Florida since it won four-straight from 2012 to 2013.