MOBILE, Ala.  – University of South Alabama will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., this weekend for a three-game series with North Florida, beginning Fri., March 9, at 5 p.m. (CT).

Game two of the three-game set will be at noon Saturday, will the series finale set for noon Sunday. All three games will be broadcast on 105.5 FM WNSP in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com. Live stats for all South Alabama games are available through the multimedia section at www.usajaguars.com. Live twitter updates will also be available @USAJaguarSports.

South Alabama (4-9) enters the weekend with wins in two of its last three games, and has won two consecutive road contests.

Right-hander Jarron Cito (1-0) is scheduled to start Friday’s contest for the Jags. Cito carries a 3.31 ERA into Friday’s game, and has 17 strikeous in 16 1/3 innings pitched.

Anthony Izzio (2-0) is Saturday’s scheduled starter, and has recorded three consecutive quality starts. The right-hander carries a team-leading 1.35 ERA into the weekend, and leads USA in innings pitched (20.0) and wins.

Nick Zaharion leads the Jags in batting average (.317) and RBI (10), while Nolan Earley leads the squad with 15 hits. The USA pitching staff carries a 3.85 ERA into the weekend series, and has recorded 107 strikeouts against 53 walks in 114 2/3 innings.

The Jags are 1-0 all-time against UNF after defeating the Ospreys 4-2 in their first-ever meeting in 2010 during the South Alabama Classic at Stanky Field.

“We need to do a great job of getting the leadoff man on, hitting with runners in scoring position and extending the inning with two outs,” USA head coach Mark Calvi said. “Those are three things that we have not done a great job of this year. A team that does those things is a sign of a team that knows how to score runs. Right now, we haven’t consistently shown that we can do that. But our pitching has been solid for the most part.

“Our pitching staff has given us a chance to win, arguably, 10 to 11 of the 13 games we have played.  And we have played solid defense for the most part with a lot of guys being moved around. But we just need to hit.”

North Florida (8-4) enters the weekend with a .323  team batting average, while the Osprey pitching staff carries a 3.88 ERA into the series with 95 strikeouts and 39 walks in 106 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .270 against them.

UNF has won four of its last five games after defeating Florida A&M Tuesday and taking three of four games from Georgia Southern last weekend.

“They are hitting over .300 as a team,” Calvi said. “They’re swinging the bats very well. I know they have some good arms on the mound. They have played a good schedule, and overall they are a solid team.

Right fielder Tyler Marincov leads the Ospreys in batting average (.478), hits (22), total bases (32), slugging percentage (.696) and on-base percentage (.509).

UNF right-hander Kyle Westwood (1-0) is scheduled to start Friday’s series opener. Westwood enters the game with a 3.21 ERA, and has allowed five runs on 17 hits in 14 innings pitched. He has recorded 12 strikeouts and issued five walks, while opponents are hitting .309 against him.

A pair of left-handers will start the final two games of the series for UNF. Michael Renner (2-1) carries 4.05 ERA in three starts into Saturday’s contest. Renner has allowed nine runs on 18 hits, and has 16 strikeouts and three walks in 20 innings pitched. Tommy Organ (1-1) will start Sunday’s finale, and enters the game with a 5.02 ERA in 14 1/3 innings pitched. He has allowed 11 runs on 16 hits with 14 strikeouts and seven walks in three starts.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchaseed by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).





Game Notes