Box Score (PDF)JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The North Florida offense erupted for a season-high 18 hits in a 17-3 rout of Dartmouth (4-10) at Harmon Stadium. The Ospreys scored a run in all but two turns at the plate and improved to 14-10 on the season.
Each player in the Osprey starting lineup recorded a hit by the fourth inning. The trio of
Dakota Higdon,
Christian Diaz and
Alex Merritt each put forth three-hit efforts. North Florida scored eight runs in the first three innings and then posted a seven-spot in the fourth inning to open up a 14-1 advantage. The seven-run fourth inning matched a season-high for runs in a single turn at the plate.
Higdon, batting in the lead-off spot for the first time this season, responded with a 3-for-5 night that included three runs scored and three RBIs, both career single-game bests. Diaz also drove in three runs and went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored. Merritt rounded out the trio with three hits including his third home run of the season in the bottom of the first. The long ball was part of a four-run first inning rally.
On the mound, starting pitcher
Matt Vaka was nearly flawless in a career-high, seven innings of work. He threw just 80 pitches and scattered seven hits. He retired the first six batters he faced and allowed only one run. The win moved him to 2-1 on the season.
Senior
Corbin Olmstead deposited the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the fourth over the left-centerfield wall for his sixth home run of the year. He finished the the night, 1-for-3 and extended his hit streak to 17 games. He is second in the A-Sun in both home runs (6) and RBIs (30).
After making some dazzling plays in the field, shortstop
Kyle Brooks was equally as productive at the plate. The senior collected two hits and drove in a run on an RBI single in third inning. He has now reached base safely in 18-straight games. His six assists in the field also matched a season-high.
With the four runs in the first inning tonight, the Ospreys have now tallied 25 first-inning runs this season, the most than any other frame. North Florida built an 8-0 advantage over the first three innings. A total of 75 of the 165 (46%) Osprey runs have come in the first three innings.
The North Florida defense behind Vaka was stellar and did not commit an error for the fourth time in the last five games. The Ospreys, who came into the week ranked ninth in the country in double plays with 24, turned two in tonight's contest. Merritt's diving, unassisted double play in the third inning ended one of the few Big Green Scoring opportunities.
The Ospreys will be back in action Thursday afternoon for the conclusion of the two-game midweek series with Dartmouth. North Florida will have right-hander
Bryan Baker (1-2) on the mound and he will be opposed by righty Clay Chatham.
