Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the second time in as many days, Jacksonville fell by one run in extra innings to Columbia, this time by a 5-4 decision Sunday at Sessions Stadium.
"That was a good college baseball game today between two competitive teams that really threw the ball well," said Head Coach Tim Montez. "It was a pitcher's ballgame after that first inning. They (Columbia) took advantage of their opportunities and we have to learn that we can't score and die after the first inning."
Chris Gau began his relief appearance in the fourth inning and nearly came away with a win, but allowed the tying run to score with two outs in the ninth on a single to left field by Robb Paller. Parker Perez then replaced Gau from centerfield and closed the ninth with a groundout to first basemen Angel Camacho. Perez (0-1) pitched 1.2 innings and allowed only one hit, which was leadoff, 11th inning single. John Kinne then singled off Shane Wise down the left field line to give Columbia the lead. Perez took the loss while Gau scattered seven hits over 5.2 innings and gave up just one run. He issued no walks and tallied three strikeouts.
Columbia (2-2) scored first with three runs in the opening frame thanks to a double by Paller, Nick Maguire groundout, and Randell Kanemaru sacrifice fly.
Jacksonville (6-3) answered the three runs of Columbia with three runs itself in the first inning. Perez led off with a single through the left side that ran his hitting streak to nine games, and Austin Hays then blasted his fourth home run of the year. Nathan Koslowski doubled, stole third, and was driven in by a JJ Gould single.
In a predetermined start, Michael Baumann pitched through three innings with five hits and three runs. He walked and struck out three batters apiece.
Columbia starter Josh Simpson pitched 4.1 innings with seven hits and three runs, walks, and strikeouts. Zack Bahm worked into a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning but escaped on an Angel Camacho flyout to right.
The Lions tried for the lead in the top of the sixth. After Joe Engel singled to left field, Nathan Koslowski came up firing and threw out pinch-runner Shane Adams at the plate.
Ryan Marks replaced Bahm on the bump in the sixth and pitched one inning before hitting Sam Armstrong to lead off the home half of the seventh. Thomas Crispi took his turn on the mound, and after a JJ Gould sacrifice bunt to move Armstrong to scoring position, Franco Guardascione reached on an error by shortstop Engel. Armstrong then scored off a Crispi wild pitch.
Thomas Crispi (1-0) got the win with one hit surrendered over four innings. Harrison Egly picked up the save with a scoreless 11th.
The Dolphins finished woth 10 hits, and were led by multi-hit games from
Up next, Jacksonville plays at Bethune-Cookman, Tuesday Mar. 8, at 6:00 p.m., and will return to Sessions Stadium with a 6:00 p.m. start Wednesday against USF.
