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PENSACOLA, Fla. – UWF baseball will battle Wisconsin-Whitewater in non-conference action Wednesday evening at Blue Wahoos Stadium. The meeting will be the first ever between the two programs. First pitch is slated for 5:00 p.m.
"I think it's an exciting opportunity for the team and it kind of comes at the appropriate time I guess you could say with the team being successful right now," said UWF head coach
Mike Jeffcoat of playing at Blue Wahoos Stadium. "We just hope that that will help keep the excitement going for a midweek game before we go to Delta State."
The No. 16/23 Argos are 12-2 in the last 14 games. The GSC leaders have picked up a number of highlight wins in the successful stretch, including four wins vs. fellow Top 20 opponents.
"We're just looking forward to being downtown and playing downtown in the Pensacola community," said Jeffcoat.
WE'RE GOING DOWNTOWN
* UWF will have a chance to play at Blue Wahoos Stadium, home of the Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins Wednesday.
* Since opening in 2012, Blue Wahoos Stadium has garnered accolades for the breathtaking scenery and well-regarded fan experience it provides. The facility has earned the "Best View" and "Best Seat In The House" honors from Minor League Baseball, the Ballpark Digest "Best Double-A Stadium" award, and the Stadium Journey "Best Minor League Experience" since its inception. It has also won the Southern League's Ballpark of the Year award three times.
* The game is the latest in a number of events that UWF has hosted in downtown Pensacola. UWF football has played all home football games at Blue Wahoos Stadium over the last three seasons. UWF also hosts two residence halls and the UWF Center for Cybersecurity downtown.
* Additionally, the UWF Historic Trust sponsors the Historic Pensacola Village, which employs University of West Florida students for living history demonstrations and as tour guides. The Historic Pensacola Village provides students with the tools to share Pensacola's historic story.
ARGOS HURLERS EARN GSC AWARDS
* UWF baseball pitchers have earned multiple weekly GSC weekly awards following a 4-1 week for the Argonauts.
Daniel Floyd has been named the Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week for the first time, and
Tony Rossi has been named the Gulf South Freshman of the Week for the third time.
* The Chipley High and Wallace-Dothan CC alum turned in five innings of one-run, five-hit ball vs. No. 4 North Georgia on Wednesday. He struck out a season-high seven and walked just one as the Argos streaked past the Nighthawks for a 7-3 win. The start was his first at UWF. The win moved him to 4-0 on the season.
* The Chipley High native continued his stellar performance at Valdosta State over the weekend. He notched two saves as the Argos swept the Blazers. He did not allow a hit or a run in three total innings. The righty owns a 4-0 record, three saves and a 2.12 ERA for the season. He has struck out 27 and walked 11 in 2019.
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Tony Rossi claimed his third GSC Freshman of the Week award following another win at Valdosta State Saturday. The righty from Lake Mary went seven innings, scattering three hits and one run in a 9-1 win for the Argonauts. The complete game was his second straight. He threw season-high 111 pitches. The Argos have now won each of his last five starts. He also won the honor Feb. 12 and Mar. 12.
GSC LEADERS
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Matt Sullivan is second in the conference with 28 runs scored this season. He is eighth in batting average (.373) and fourth in slugging percentage (.663). He is eighth in OBP (.486) and tied along with teammate
Robert Lopez for second in the conference doubles contest with 9.
* Sullivan and
Trevor Payne are tied for sixth in the GSC with 22 RBIs. Sullivan is tied for sixth in the GSC in home runs with five.
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Andrew Vaccacio is fifth in the conference with a 1.99 ERA.
Tony Kucera is ninth with a 2.81 ERA.
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Tony Rossi,
Daniel Floyd and Kucera are tied for third in the conference with four wins apiece.
Daniel Floyd and
Josh Pahlad are tied for second in the GSC with three saves each.
* UWF is second in the conference in team batting average (.298), second in team ERA (3.26) and first in fielding percentage (.974). The Argos are the only GSC club in the top three in all three categories.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN-WHITEWATER
* Wisconsin-Whitewater is an NCAA Div. III program that has found tremendous success in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
* The Warhawks played three games in the month of February. The fell to Spalding (Ky.) and Huntingdon but did defeat North Park (Illinois).
* Wednesday's game will kick off the team's annual "Spring Trip". The trip will feature five games at Blue Wahoos Stadium and then six more games in Auburndale, Fla.
* The Warhawks have captured back-to-back Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles.
* Wisconsin-Whitewater went 20-4 last season and competed in their 11th straight NCAA Tournament.
For the latest information on UWF athletics, follow the Argos on Twitter @GoArgos.
