Final Boxscore pdf

JACKSONVILLE -- Sophomore Frank German pitched near perfect ball for North Florida, retiring the first 19 batters he faced in leading the Ospreys to a 9-2 win over Radford in the final game of the three game series.

German struck out 10 of the Highlander hitters he faced, before issuing a one out walk in the seventh inning.  After retiring Radford's Danny Hrbek on a ground out, and his pitch count approaching 90, UNF head coach Smoke Laval removed German from the game to a thunderous standing ovation.

Despite issuing just that one walk, and no hits, German was charged for one earned run.  Radford's Spencer Horwitz, who was the hitting hero in Saturday's Radford victory, was the spoiler once again as he rudely greeted Osprey reliever Eddie Miller with the first Highlander hit of the game, driving in Mason Scoville who drew the base on balls from German.

The Ospreys wasted no time in getting all the runs they would need in the game's opening frame. Using some timely hitting and heady base running, the Ospreys jumped out to an early three run lead.  

Patrick Ervin led off the game with the first of his three base hits on the afternoon, and smartly advanced to second base on Alex Merritt's long fly ball to left that was caught in foul territory. Chris Thibideau followed with a towering drive that bounced over the center field fence for a ground rule double, scoring Ervin with the first run of the game.

After Thibideau stole third base, he scored on a ground ball off the bat of Yahir Gurrola that was misplayed by the Radford shortstop for an error. Gurrola then stole second base, before advancing to third on an infield single by Blake Voyles. He would score the 3rd run of the inning on a sacrifice fly from Christian Diaz.

After loading the bases with no outs in the 2nd inning on consecutive ground ball singles by Joe Boyle, Chris Berry and Ervin, the Ospreys would have to settle for one run on Thibideau's sacrifice fly.

For the second consecutive game Radford received some outstanding middle relief pitching. This time, Austin Gerber, in relief of Highlander starter Ryan Sande, traded pitching perfect innings with German. Gerber retired 11 straight UNF hitters before Wes Weeks finally reached base on a solid line drive single in the 6th inning.

The Ospreys salted the game away adding five insurance runs in the 7th inning as coach Laval pushed all the right buttons.  After Boyle and and Berry each delivered their second hits on the afternoon, Thibideau drove in a run with a fielders choice ground ball out.  Dalton Board reached base on a walk, setting the stage for Voyles.  

With left hander Mark Krupp on the mound, Laval stayed with his left-handed hitting catcher and Voyles delivered with a two run double to left.  Laval then inserted Tanner Murphy into the lineup as a pinch hitter and he too came through for the veteran Osprey skipper with a solid single driving in Voyles for the Osprey's ninth run of the game.

Radford would score a run each in the 7th and 8th inning, but Trace Norcus, in relief, stopped a possible big 8th inning for the visitors when he retired Radford's Jonathan Gonzalez with the bases loaded.

The victory moves the Osprey's early season record to 2-1 before traveling to Orlando on Tuesday to face UCF in a 6:30 p.m. first pitch start.  The Osprey's will return back to Harmon Stadium on Friday (Feb. 24) to host Northeastern University in a four game set over the weekend with a single game Friday, doubleheader Saturday and final game Sunday.