KENNESAW, Ga. - Sunday's rubber match with Kennesaw State captured a double play, a 9-4-5 relay to catch a runner at third and strong throws from catcher Brooke Smith to catch three stealing. With their defense running on all cylinders, it took three innings for the Dolphins' offense to ignite and just one for KSU to take the lead as a seven-run sixth inning powered the Owls past Jacksonville University, 9-8. 

After surrendering a two-run home run in the first, Jacksonville kept the Owls scoreless for the next four frames.

KSU committed six errors in the outing and it was its second mishap that allowed the Dolphins to get on the board. Courtney Smith was the first to cross home plate and through six, the Fins tallied seven unanswered runs for a 7-2 lead.

Despite their advantage, the Dolphins' lead wasn't based on a nonthreatening Owl squad. KSU stranded six runners on base, including a bases loaded opportunity in the fifth. Luckily for JU, heads up defense muffled many of the Owls' attempts. In example, Charli Bradshaw snagged a line drive and tagged first for a double play before a fly out to center field allowed the Fins to escape the stanza.

Loading the bases in the sixth, Kennesaw scored seven on five hits and an error to go up, 9-7.

Two errors and a walk lined the Dolphins up for a rally in the seventh. With three on and one out, Victoria Brown's plate appearance concluded in a fielding error that scored Jordan Daniels. 

JU's comeback ended with a strike out and fielder's choice. 

The series decision moves the Dolphins to 19-18 overall and 2-4 in the conference while KSU improved to 23-12 and 4-5, respectively. 

Jacksonville returns home next weekend to face Lipscomb. The Senior Day series begins Friday, April 3 at 4 p.m.