JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Erupting 18 runs off 20 hits, the Jacksonville University baseball team unleashes an offensive mashing in an 18-5 victory to clinch the series 2-1 against visiting Samford. The Dolphins improve to 9-10 and will host North Florida for a weekday matchup on Wednesday for the Mayors Cup. First pitch commences at 6:30 p.m.

The 20-hits recorded by the Dolphins was their most since the 2011 season. Leading the ensemble was senior Garett Ruckel who went 4-for-5 with a career-high three doubles, as six other players had multi-hits in the 15-8 onslaught, including a three-RBI afternoon from Angelo Amendolare (2-for-5).

"A lot of guys had some good days today," said head coach Tim Montez. "Ruckel is a great team player who exudes a lot of senior leadership. To be able to come out and perform like he did was a real shot in the arm. Hats off to my two seniors with him and Russell who battled all game. The long innings helped him-- his legs got under him and he was able to gather his second-wind and he really saved our bullpen today."

"Those guys are veterans," said Amendolare. "They know the game and they are going to give us a good outing every time. JR battles and I love watching him out there he always works hard and battles to the max." 

Amendolare notched three of the 16 runs driven in by the Dolphins, his 19th RBI of the season.

"When we play at home, we expect to win the series," said Amendolare. "It's all starting to come together, and you saw that today. The intensity in the dugout is awesome. The guys on the bench are in the game, that's why when they come into the game they perform and that's because they are into it the entire game."

The starters inflicted the damage, but the bench provided the knockout blow as Nate Ricci (1-for-1) drove in his first and second RBI of the season with a single to rightfield scoring Amendolare and Chris Lehane—who pinch-hit for JJ Gould (2-for-3) and was hit-by-pitch. Seth Dewitt walked in his pinch-hit at bat and later scored as the Dolphin bench provide three-runs in the eighth.

"We really want to complement our bench from Doc (Brian Holcomb) to Ricci, Dillard and Lehane, the entire bench was outstanding," said Montez. "That's what college baseball is all about having your bench guys be in the game the entire way and produce when they are called upon. The team that has the best chemistry has a chance to do special things."

Senior Drew Luther (2-for-6) would continue his hot-streak at the plate, providing an RBI in his fourth-consecutive game for five over that span. Connor Marabell (2-for-4) drove in his team-high 24th RBI and freshman Sam Armstrong (2-for-2) knocked in his sixth RBI of the year in five starts. 

Dylan Dillard made his first appearance on the mound and did his job setting down the Bulldog hitters in order.

"That's a really good sign to have our offensive production like that," said Montez. "But they need to enjoy it for 12 hours and get ready to battle in the next one against a very good North Florida team. You see all the time after you put up big numbers in one game it's hard to reproduce in the next one. We have to stay in the moment of it being just one game."

The Dolphins welcome into Sessions Stadium the cross-town rival North Florida (14-8) as they completed the sweep against Brown on Sunday. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. It will be a battle for the Mayors Cup and bragging rights in Jacksonville and will not count toward River City Rumble series or A-sun Conference standings.

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