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Admiration on Display for U.S. Navy Vet Holcomb In First Career Start

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Making his first-career start, U.S. Navy veteran Brian Holcomb produced a moment bigger than the game of baseball for Jacksonville University on Tuesday evening. 

Serving for 17 years in the service after high school, Holcomb was cleared through the NCAA and became a student-athlete at Jacksonville University, earning a spot on the Dolphins' roster. Fulfilling a lifetime dream, head coach Tim Montez gave the 34-year old the ball to start the game against visiting Georgia Southern.

Watch the moment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZnfQrD8ZvY&feature=youtu.be

More moments captured @JUBaseball Twitter feed

An amped Holcomb he delivered the first pitch strike to opposing batter Kody Adams. The Mason, Michigan native dealt the sidearm delivery fastballs and a 1-1 count, Adams would pull the ball into right field for a leadoff single. 

Montez would come out, salute and take the ball from Holcomb after the first batter, and the crowd and his teammates gave a hand and embraced the teammate and inspiration for all.

Parker Perez would work out of the first inning, a fly out to center field and a 6-4-3 double play ground out to first career-starter Chris Lehane who received the nod at shortstop. 

In the camo hats, chosen by Holcomb as part of the starting pitcher selection for uniform choice, the Dolphins would knock around four Eagle pitchers for 10 hits. A tie game through the sixth, Eagles would plate the go-ahead run in the seventh and it wouldn't relinquish.

The Dolphins would plate two runs in the first inning and grab the early lead. With two outs, Angelo Amendolare would line a single into centerfield to start the rally while Seth Dewitt, with two on base, drove the pitch into left field for a 2-RBI single.

In the third inning, a pair of doubles by Drew Luther and Connor Marabell would plate a run in the inning. It was the first of two doubles for the second most in category in the A-Sun, while Luther tallied his 11th.

Another local product on the Dolphin roster, Lehane went 2-for-3 in his debut with two double plays turned, the latter coming on a big play in the second inning. With the bases-loaded, Perez induced a ground-ball and Lehane took it himself for the 6-3 double-play to leave one stranded. 

The Eagles would score four runs the last four innings, including a two-run sixth off a 2-RBI single by Aaron Mizell to tie the game at three apiece. Breaking the tie, Hunter Thomas would drive a solo-shot to right field.

The bats would go quiet for the remaining three innings, no runs and no hits for the home team. 

The Dolphins hit the road for an eight-game road swing beginning Friday, May 1 at Northern Kentucky.

@JUBaseball | #FearTheFin

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Players Mentioned

Angelo Amendolare

#2 Angelo Amendolare

2B/SS
5' 9"
Senior
Seth Dewitt

#17 Seth Dewitt

INF
6' 1"
Sophomore
Brian Holcomb

#47 Brian Holcomb

RHP
Freshman
Chris Lehane

#21 Chris Lehane

UTIL
5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
Drew Luther

#33 Drew Luther

C/INF
6' 1"
Senior
Connor Marabell

#9 Connor Marabell

1B/OF
6' 0"
Junior
Parker Perez

#4 Parker Perez

OF/LHP
5' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Angelo Amendolare

#2 Angelo Amendolare

5' 9"
Senior
2B/SS
Seth Dewitt

#17 Seth Dewitt

6' 1"
Sophomore
INF
Brian Holcomb

#47 Brian Holcomb

Freshman
RHP
Chris Lehane

#21 Chris Lehane

5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
UTIL
Drew Luther

#33 Drew Luther

6' 1"
Senior
C/INF
Connor Marabell

#9 Connor Marabell

6' 0"
Junior
1B/OF
Parker Perez

#4 Parker Perez

5' 7"
Junior
OF/LHP
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