Friday, March 24, 2006

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Pinch runner Brian Wilson scored from third on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning to give North Florida a 1-0 victory over Florida Atlantic in Atlantic Sun Conference baseball action on Friday night at Harmon Stadium.

The Ospreys (14-11, 7-3 A-Sun) were unable to score through eight innings against the Owls (12-13, 2-5 A-Sun), spoiling a masterful outing by UNF starter Jeremy Papelbon, who didn’t allow a hit through 7.2 innings.

Papelbon pitched into the ninth – the longest outing of his career –and allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out a career-high 13. He gave way with one out in the ninth to his brother Josh Papelbon (4- 2), who finished the inning to become the pitcher of record.

FAU starter Mickey Storey (3-4) matched Jeremy Papelbon pitch for pitch much of the night. He allowed seven hits and walked one in 8.1 innings while striking out nine, but two wild pitches in the ninth proved to be his undoing.

The teams will play game two of their three-game weekend series on Saturday at 1 p.m. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Harmon Stadium.