JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Despite a two-run eighth inning, the Jacksonville University baseball team's comeback falls short, 4-3. The Dolphins fall to 6-8, while VCU improves to 4-7. JU still has a chance to win the series with the rubber match concluding tomorrow with a 1 p.m., first pitch. The game will be aired live on ESPN3.

Down 4-1, the Dolphins would comeback in the eighth inning, scoring two runs and trimming the deficit. Nate Ricci (1-for-2) started the inning off with a single then came JJ Gould (1-for-3) who drove the pitch into right field and scored Ricci for the RBI, his second of the afternoon.

"We had a lot of different guys come off the bench and do some things to get us back in the ballgame," said head coach Tim Montez. "That's what a good team does. If we can stick with that, guys are starting to understand where their roles are, we are going to be successful." 

Working a 2-2 count, Parker Perez (1-for-4) would compose and deliver a single to left field, scoring Gould from second. After a Cameron Gibson (2-for-5) single, the Rams would close the door on the two runners on-base threat sending it into the ninth.

For back-to-back games, a freshman would provide craftsmanship on the mound as Gregory Shannahan entered in the fifth inning, and threw 3.1 innings off flawless baseball—no runs, no hits and three strikeouts.

Montez on his freshman, "Shannahan comes in and does an absolute phenominal job, and gives us an opportunity come back and win a ballgame."

Connor Marabell (2-for-4) rocketed a pitch into center field and stretched the single into a double, his ninth of the year in the seventh frame, while Gibson had two singles—his 28th consecutive game reaching base. 

"It comes down to taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented," said Montez. "In the first inning we had a chance to answer back after giving up two. We have to learn to make adjustments—we didn't do that. We've got to be able to take advantage when the opposing pitcher gives you five (walks) free-passes." 

After a rocky first, Jeff Tanner would gather and deliver four-straight shutout innings, leaving the game with two outs in the sixth. The redshirt-juniors line: 5.2 IP, 4 ER and 1 K. 

The Dolphins would threaten in the first after Gibson reached with a single and stole second, his fourth on the year. Amendolare's (0-for-4) nine-game hitting streak was snapped this afternoon, but the senior has reached base in all 13 games this season, after a walk in the first inning.

Three-straight batters faced went down for JU, and that concluded the first.

For VCU, JoJo Howie would record the win after five walks in 6 IP, three strikeouts to improve to 1-2 on the year, while Daniel Concepcion tallied the three-inning save behind five strikeouts.

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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