JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Following a tough loss against Florida State, North Florida returns to Jacksonville for their final non-conference weekend series of the season against Alabama State. UNF is 6-4 on weekends this season, winning only one non-conference weekend series so far (Brown). The Ospreys and Hornets have never met prior to this upcoming weekend.
Last Time Out
UNF fell to Florida State on Tuesday, Mar. 4. in Tallahassee. North Florida fell behind early in the game but scored a quick second inning run to make it 2-1. The Ospreys were blanked the rest of the way and lost 10-1. It was the second midweek loss of the season for the 'Spreys and the sixth in total. Despite the loss, Mitchell Collins and Aaron Potter both had solid nights against one of the toughest teams in the country.
Scouting Alabama State
The Hornets are off to a 5-9 start and have dropped back-to-back games. A trio of Alabama State wins occurred during the Andre Dawson Classic in Vero Beach, Fla. During that weekend, Alabama State beat the SEC's Missouri 10-2, while also winning games against Grambling State and Jackson State. Juan Cruz is leading the way offensively, as he is the team leader in batting average (.400), home runs (4), runs (13), and RBIs (17). Jafet Martinez and Esaid Pena have been solid options in the rotation, both having made at least three starts, and recording 16 innings or more on the mound.
.380 +
UNF's offense has been impressive through the first 13 games of the season. A huge reason is because of a trio of players that are currently hitting above .380. Connor Moore has been a consistent presence in the North Florida lineup, hitting .386 with a team leading 17 hits. Despite missing the last two games, Jabin Bates is hitting at a .382 mark and won an ASUN Player of the Week award a few weeks ago. Finally, Drew Leinenbach has been an on-base machine for North Florida. Leinenbach is hitting .381 and is a threat on the bases as well, as he is tied for the team-lead in steals.
Terrific Treichel
Freshman pitcher Bryson Treichel has turned heads in his first three appearances as an Osprey. Against Notre Dame, Treichel tossed three scoreless innings and struck out five. In his first career start against Brown, Treichel was four outs shy of a no-hitter and completed six shutout with five strikeouts. Against Ball State, Treichel tossed another five scoreless innings. The righty has not allowed a run all season and has been one of the best arms in the ASUN this season.
Series History
First meeting in history between Alabama State and North Florida.
Starting Pitchers
Friday - LHP Jorhan LaBoy vs RHP Will Ross
Saturday - RHP Jafet Martinez vs RHP Bryson Treichel
Sunday - TBD vs TBD
First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday's game is at 3 p.m. and Sunday's weekend finale is at 1 p.m. North Florida will not broadcast the games but updates will be made through live stats, as well as on X/Twitter at @OspreyBSB and Instagram at @OspreysBSB.
