JACKSONVILLE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville blasted four home runs to score six runs over the seventh and eighth innings in a 10-5 triumph against FIU Wednesday at Sessions Stadium.

"It was a great team win right there," said Head Coach Tim Montez. "Great bullpen pitching by Ryan Quintero and Mike Schappell gave us an opportunity to get back into it."

Franco Guardascione's three-run shot over the left field wall came on the following pitch after the FIU infield misplayed a foul popup. His game-winning shot was set up by singles from Parker Perez and Austin Hays.

Jacksonville added two more round-trippers in the eighth on a two-run homer by Perez off the scoreboard in right and a solo shot by Hays to left.

Schappell (1-1) garnered the win with two hits on four innings, no walks, and three strikeouts.

Jacksonville (11-5) continued its trend of scoring first with two runs in the first. The Dolphins have scored first in every game but one. Hays belted his team-leading fifth homer of the season for Jacksonville's first run. Connor Stephens doubled to the left field gap, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and crossed home on a JJ Gould groundout to third.

FIU (10-11) countered with a run in the second inning on a Ricardo Pozo single to centerfield. The Panthers then tried to tie the game an inning later but Hays gunned down the tying run at the plate on a spot-on throw from right field.

The Dolphins increased their lead with a three-hit rally in the third off FIU starter Michael Agis (0-1). Nate Ricci hit his first triple of the year down the right field line to score Gould. Evan Fernandez then plated Ricci on a groundball single that bounced off the third base bag. Agis pitched three innings and gave up four runs on seven hits.

Casey Kulina pitched 2.1 innings in his Jacksonville debut and a pre-determined start. He allowed three hits, a run, a walk, and three strikeouts.

"Tonight was about Kulina and everybody was rooting for him. He's worked hard for this," said Montez.

 FIU tied the game in the fourth on a three-run homer to right by Jack Schaaf, and took the lead on a solo blast from pinch-hitter Zach Files in the fifth. Reliever Chris Gau lasted two innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Ryan Quintero finished the fifth with an inning-ending double play.

Willy Fabra (0-1) took the loss with two runs over three innings. Frank Chacon gave up a run and Chris Coipel gave up three runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning.

The Dolphins totaled 13 hits and were led by the three hits of Hays. Perez, Ricci, and Julylia each tallied two hits.

Up next, Jacksonville travels to Samford for a three-game series starting Friday at 7:00 p.m. ET.