JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Led by junior Connor Marabell's two hit, four RBI day, the Jacksonville University baseball team trounced MTSU erupting 15 hits in the third game of the series on Sunday afternoon, by a score of 11-2. Freshman Michael Baumann gets the win after five innings, two earned runs and a game-high six strikeouts. The Dolphins (1-2) home swing continues with FSU, Tuesday. 

"Offensively, that's who we are," said head coach Tim Montez. "We have the ability to put up big innings and also extend the lead throughout the game.  We did a nice job of executing and it was a great overall team win."

Baumann was fantastic, striking out six batters and delivering five innings including his final two innings of short increments, setting down the opposition in six-of-seven batters faced for quick work. 

"First of all it started out with playing solid defense, behind [Baumann]," said Montez. "It's what we are use to and know how to play. Baumann sets the tone early by attacking the zone. He has has a chance to be special. We saw glimpse of what he can do today."

A lot of debuts to the 2015 Dolphin roster, day three starter Baumann, was one of seven to make first appearance in the Dolphin green in the opening series for Montez squad.

"I was excited and the main thing I focused on was what I could control," said Baumann. "The defense played strong behind me and I trusted them, coach [Montez] and [Garrett] Ruckel really helped me stay within my strengths and helped me slow the game down. Feels good to get the win with my teammates."

In the inaugural frame for the freshman from Mahtomedi High School (Minn.) faced a threat with a leadoff double and eventual second and third situation, getting the next two batters to pop-out, strike out.

Marabell picked up 2015 where he left off in 2014 recording seven RBI in the series including four in today's victory. The Jacksonville-native tallied a three-RBI double, his second on the year, in the second inning.

With two outs in the third, the Dolphins would do the most damage of the afternoon. Junior JJ Gould (2-for-5) would single to center field to begin the rout followed by senior Garrett Ruckel (0-for-2) second walk and sophomore Alex Seifert (2-for-2) singled--turning the order over to leadoff junior Parker Perez (2-for-4) Perez would score two on a single for the first runs of the game. 

After senior Angelo Amendolare (1-for-4), who has hits in three-straight games, was hit-by-pitch, the table was set for Marabell to deliver an opposite-field double, clearing the bases for a 5-0 lead. 

Sophomore Austin Hays (1-for-4)would notch his first double as a Dolphin, scoring Marabell. JU would bat around to redshirt-sophomore Nathan Koslowski (2-for-4) single—then Gould would produce his second hit of the inning up the middle for a single, and the damage was done—seven runs on seven hits.  

JU would tack on two runs in the third with RBI's from Amendolare (1), and Marabell (7) after hits by Perez (3), Koslowski (4), Seifert (4) and senior Cameron Gibson (4).

In the sixth inning, the bats continued, manufacturing two runs on three hits.

Koslowski led off the inning and produced his second-consecutive two hit ballgame. Gibson (2-for-4) hit a single, for his first hitting streak of three games, since he hit in six-straight games in 2014. Freshman Sam Armstrong (1-for-1) tallied another pinch-hit single for back-to-back games—knocking in Ruckel after an errant throw by the second baseman. 

The relief job came in and closed the door retiring the final five batters in order, complements of junior Ryan Quintero, who went two innings allowing one hit and struck out three. In his second appearance of 2015, freshman Spencer Stockton matched Quintero's line of three strikeouts, one hit—and forced a ground ball to start the 5-4-3 double play in the seventh. 

JU is back in action Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. when it will host in-state rival No. 21 Florida State at John Sessions Stadium. The game was initially slated for Tuesday, but was postponed a day due to impending weather. 

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