Spring Break
Dawgs undergo season-opening series loss to Ospreys
Melissa Meador
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: Sports
However, North Florida exploded for five runs in the sixth inning and another six in the seventh to secure the win.
Bulldogs starter Chad Crosswhite pitched five-plus innings and was tagged for nine hits and seven earned runs.
Reliever Jared Wesson took the loss after pitching in the sixth and seventh and giving up three earned runs.
Junior catcher Johnny Allen led the Bulldogs' offense, going 3-for-3 and grabbing two RBIs.
Sunday saw a first-inning slugfest by the Ospreys as they tagged Bulldogs sophomore starter Ricky Bowen for five runs. Bowen would take the loss after working four innings, giving up seven total runs and walking four.
Junior closer Aaron Weatherford came in for part of the eighth and all of the ninth and struck out three batters while giving up just one hit.
Polk said he was slightly disappointed in the pitching as a whole over the Saturday and Sunday games.
"We didn't pitch very well the last two days, and North Florida has a nice ballclub," Polk said. "The two big innings they had started off with a walk. The umpires were tight, and we had to aim the ball a little bit."
State tried to make a rally in the fourth inning Sunday as Ryan Duffy, making his first career start as catcher, slapped a three-run homer to center field.
However, a three-run home run by North Florida's Michael Smith would ensure the Ospreys' 11-6 victory.
Designated hitter Jason Nappi would pace the Bulldogs' offense, going 4-for-4 and knocking in one run while scoring another.
Polk said he had known going into the weekend that it would be a challenging road trip for the Bulldogs.
"North Florida has a good ballclub, and we knew this would be a tough road trip," Polk said. "North Florida had 17 freshmen last year. Last year, they also knocked off some fine teams."
Polk said pitchers had to be more aggressive with North Florida's lineup.
"If you give them 2-0 and 3-1 counts, they will hurt you," he said.
The Bulldogs will open up a 14-game homestand at Dudy Noble Field on Tuesday when they take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham at 4 p.m.
Bulldogs starter Chad Crosswhite pitched five-plus innings and was tagged for nine hits and seven earned runs.
Reliever Jared Wesson took the loss after pitching in the sixth and seventh and giving up three earned runs.
Junior catcher Johnny Allen led the Bulldogs' offense, going 3-for-3 and grabbing two RBIs.
Sunday saw a first-inning slugfest by the Ospreys as they tagged Bulldogs sophomore starter Ricky Bowen for five runs. Bowen would take the loss after working four innings, giving up seven total runs and walking four.
Junior closer Aaron Weatherford came in for part of the eighth and all of the ninth and struck out three batters while giving up just one hit.
Polk said he was slightly disappointed in the pitching as a whole over the Saturday and Sunday games.
"We didn't pitch very well the last two days, and North Florida has a nice ballclub," Polk said. "The two big innings they had started off with a walk. The umpires were tight, and we had to aim the ball a little bit."
State tried to make a rally in the fourth inning Sunday as Ryan Duffy, making his first career start as catcher, slapped a three-run homer to center field.
However, a three-run home run by North Florida's Michael Smith would ensure the Ospreys' 11-6 victory.
Designated hitter Jason Nappi would pace the Bulldogs' offense, going 4-for-4 and knocking in one run while scoring another.
Polk said he had known going into the weekend that it would be a challenging road trip for the Bulldogs.
"North Florida has a good ballclub, and we knew this would be a tough road trip," Polk said. "North Florida had 17 freshmen last year. Last year, they also knocked off some fine teams."
Polk said pitchers had to be more aggressive with North Florida's lineup.
"If you give them 2-0 and 3-1 counts, they will hurt you," he said.
The Bulldogs will open up a 14-game homestand at Dudy Noble Field on Tuesday when they take on the University of Alabama-Birmingham at 4 p.m.
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