JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Paced by Michael Baumann's six scoreless innings, the Jacksonville University baseball team defeated VCU in an epic-pitching battle that ended with a Cameron Gibson walk off run in the ninth, off a Connor Marabell groundball. The Dolphins (6-7) improve their home record to 6-3, while VCU drops to 3-7 on the year. Game 2 is slated for 2 p.m. tomorrow at John Sessions Stadium.

In the ninth tied at 1-1, Gibson (1-for-3) would lead off with a single on a swinging-bunt to third base. Amendolare (1-for-3) would walk on four-straight pitches and up came Jacksonville-native Marabell—driving the fastball into a chopper to second—an overthrow and error by first baseman Shane Dressler, would advance Gibson across the plate at the celebration began.

"We had a nice motivational talk with our (Athletic Director) Dr. Donnie Horner yesterday talking about living in the moment," said head coach Tim Montez. "That's the type of ballgame you have to stay in the moment in order to win a close one. It starts off with pitching; tip your cap to Baumann he keeps getting better and we extended him an inning. (The) guys had a lot of energy and they stuck together and didn't get down on themselves." 

Baumann was stellar in his fourth start of his career, providing a career-high six innings of a shutout and a career-high seven strikeouts. 

The freshman on being involved in a pitcher's duel and matching the opponent pitch for pitch, "It brings a new level of intensity. You just have to embrace it, and love it. It felt really good tonight," said Baumann. 

Nathan Disch would be credited with the win after coming in during the eighth-inning with one out. He struck out three including a bases-loaded strikeout to send the Fins to the bottom of the ninth. 

"It was nice to pick up Disch," said Montez, "he's been carrying us (on the backend) when he needed to buckle down to give us a chance to win the game, he made some quality, quality pitches and that takes a lot of courage."

Marabell on his league-leading 19 RBI, "I feel great and I'm putting together great at-bats. The people ahead of me are getting on base for me and that makes my job easy," said Marabell.

Two teammate's on-base and a chance at being the hero, Marabell breaks down the at-bat. "I was just trying to put a good at-bat together and get a pitch I could drive. He threw me a fastball, and I just busted up the line, knowing Gibson had a chance to score with his speed."

Dolphins, winners of six-of-nine games at home and looking to return to a five-game win streak at John Sessions Stadium they had going into Tuesday.

"It's a huge win," said Marabell. "It gets us rolling into the rest of the series and we are ready to start our home-winning streak again."

Amendolare drove in the first-run of the game with an RBI-groundout in the sixth, and would extend his hitting streak to nine-games with a single in the first. 

Spencer Stockton provided 1.1 innings of shut-out baseball with one hit surrendered.

"It was a great team, these guys will loosen up now and play a little bit more free the rest of the weekend," finished Montez.

A LOOK AHEAD

JU is on the road for a weekday matchup after VCU, as they travel to Daytona Beach for a game against Bethune-Cookman, Tuesday. They return home for a weekend series with Samford the following Friday through Sunday, before taking on North Florida, March 18 for the Mayors Cup. 

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