KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The softball team of Jacksonville University kicked off its 10-game road swing Tuesday against the University of Tennessee, allowing 10 runs to the 17th-ranked Volunteers in a five-inning loss.

The Volunteers got off to a quick start, scoring five runs on five hits in the bottom of the first. The leadoff batter hit a double, then was advanced to third on a sac bunt. The runner scored on a passed ball. The Vols got their second hit on a single through the left side, and that runner was put across after a stolen base and a single to center. Tennessee got a second stolen base, and another run was put across on another single. The final run was scored on a double to center field. After one JU trailed Tennessee 0-5.

Paige Curtis shut down the next seven batters she faced, but the Vols were able to score one more on back-to-back singles in the bottom of the third. After three JU trailed Tennessee 0-6.

The Volunteers forced the run-shortened game by scoring four runs in the fourth inning. The first came on a double with one runner on, and the other three came on a homer with runners on second and third. Final score: Jacksonville 0, Tennessee 10

Down the Road

The Dolphins continue their 10-game road trip with a three-game series at Lipscomb on Friday and Saturday, and then head south to Stateboro, Ga., for a two-game series at Georgia Southern next Wednesday. On April 6 the Dolphins will play a one-game series at Florida State, and then step back into conference play April 9 in a three-game series at USC Upstate. Jacksonville's next home game is April 13 against Florida A&M.

Fans can follow all the action from the 2015-16 season on JUDolphins.com, through twitter @JUSoftball, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JacksonvilleUniversityAthletics.