April 11, 2010

Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Senior Brian Dempsey (Montverde, Fla./East Ridge) extended his hitting streak to a career-high seven games thanks to two hits to lead the USC Upstate baseball team, but UNF was able to complete an Atlantic Sun Conference series sweep with a 10-0 win on Sunday afternoon at Harmon Stadium.

The Ospreys (20-15 overall, 9-3 A-Sun) broke through in the fourth inning, as Justin Preckaljo hit a double to lead off and a walk put runners on first and second. After two strikeouts, it looked like Upstate would get out of the inning, but two-strike singles by both Sam Perry and Michael Smith helped score a pair of runs before an error plated both runners to give the Ospreys a 4-0 lead.

Three more runs scored in the fifth inning, as Preckaljo and T.J. Thompson each hit homers to give UNF a seven-run lead.UNF got its final three runs in the eighth on a three-run double from Preston Hale.

Upstate (9-27 overall, 1-14 A-Sun) knocked around eight hits in the game, but left six runners on base, as John Atteo (4-1) threw a complete-game, striking out four and walking none. Senior Matt Branham (Columbia, S.C./Spring Valley) took the loss for Upstate, allowing nine hits and five earned runs in five innings. He walked three and struck out four.

David Eldredge led the Ospreys, going 3-for-3 with two runs and Preckaljo added two hits and two runs. Junior Joe Barnes (Lake Orion, Mich./Grand Rapids C.C.) also had two hits for Upstate.

Upstate heads home for another stiff challenge, as College of Charleston heads to Harley Park for a 6 p.m. game on Tuesday. Chris Sturgill '88 will be on hand to throw out the first pitch.