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University of North Florida Athletics

Cade Bush rig shot night

FIRST PITCH - Baseball Continues Homestand With Two Midweek Games

Ospreys Host South Florida And North Carolina A&T

3/4/2024 7:00:00 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida continues non-conference play at Harmon Stadium with games against USF and North Carolina A&T. The Ospreys are winners of six consecutive games and have not lost a weekend series this season.

The Ospreys swept the Dartmouth Big Green over the weekend, with the finale of the series being rained out. Tripp McKinlay had a fantastic Saturday, reaching base five times and hitting his first home run. UNF has slugged their way to six straight wins, scoring 55 runs over the six games.

South Florida

UNF has dominated the all-time series, going 14-3 since their first matchup. The Ospreys have won 10 consecutive games dating back to 2014. Last season, North Florida defeated the Bulls in a 10-inning thriller in Tampa and run-ruled them at Harmon. South Florida is 5-5 this season, losing two of three to UCF this past weekend. USF has both strong pitching and hitting, but have fallen to some tough opponents in Florida State, UCONN, and UCF.

North Carolina A&T

The Osprey’s and Aggies will meet for the first time in program history. NC A&T have gone an impressive 9-2 this season and are coming off a three-game sweep of Eastern Illinois University. The Aggies are off to their best start in over 15 years and have an excellent team ERA of 3.62. 

UNF will broadcast Tuesday’s games against USF on ESPN+. Updates for both games will be made through live stats, as well as on X/Twitter at @OspreyBSB and Instagram at @OspreysBSB.

Projected Batting Lineup

  1. C Bates, Jabin
  2. 2B McKinlay, Tripp
  3. RF Nichols, Cherokee
  4. DH Runnels, Jakob
  5. 1B Bush, Cade
  6. 3B Clements, Matthew
  7. LF Moore, Connor
  8. CF Leinenbach, Drew
  9. SS Rodriguez, Alex

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida baseball (7-3) bested Dartmouth (0-5) in a high-scoring Saturday victory to win their second consecutive weekend series. The Ospreys scored a season high 14 runs while also hitting three home runs. UNF extends its winning streak to six straight and will look for a sweep of the Big Green tomorrow.

Dartmouth got off to a fast start, scoring five runs in the first. Elliot Krewson singled home a run and Kolton Freeman launched a two-run home run. Max Zajec would pick up an RBI on a triple and would come in to score on a single from Jackson Hower. UNF used three pitchers in the first, with both Avery Love and Will Ross recording a single out.

North Florida would respond quickly, as Tripp McKinlay would deliver a two-run home run to make it a five to two game. The home run was the first of McKinlay's career. UNF would tie the game in the third, thanks to RBIs from Cade Bush, Connor Moore, and Drew Leinenbach. UNF was able to adjust against Dartmouth starter Devin Milberg which led to the three runs.

The Ospreys would take their first lead of the game on a wild pitch in the fourth. Leinenbach and McKinlay would each continue their strong days with RBI singles a piece in the fifth. UNF pitching would run into trouble in the sixth. The first two hitters reached for the Big Green, which allowed Nathan Cmeyla to bring a run in on a sac fly. Center Fielder Tyler Robinson reached on an RBI single to bring the score within one. It appeared Dartmouth would tie the game, until Cade Bush snared a line drive out of the air to end the inning. 

The catch would give momentum back to the Ospreys. Alex Rodriguez and Tripp McKinlay would each add two RBIs on singles to extend the Osprey lead. UNF would show off their power in the seventh and eighth, as Jakob Runnels and Alex Rodriguez would both hit their first home run of the season. The homers would bring the score to 14-7. Scott Griesemer would give up a run in the ninth but would still secure the victory.

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UNF BASEBALL UPCOMING SLATE

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