JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University softball split action with George Mason Tuesday, starting play with a 5-1 victory before dropping game two, 11-6.

Jacksonville 5, GMU 1

At the bottom of the second, Allie McCourt doubled to right field to bring home the game-opening run. Her hit signified the first of the night for the Dolphins, and their lone connection in 5.2 innings until Ciara Jones' leadoff bunt single in the sixth.

The Dolphins struggled to find their offensive rhythm early on, but George Mason didn't fare much better against pitcher Victoria Brown as it finished the ballgame with four hits. The Patriots tied things at 1-1 in the third, and didn't have another scoring opportunity until Jessica Middleton's one-out triple in the last stanza.

Jones' bunt was the start of a four-run sixth frame, highlighted by a two-RBI homer to left by Brooke Smith.

GMU 11, Jacksonville 6

The Patriots stirred up trouble in the second inning of game two. The side held a one-run advantage after the first and padded its lead to 5-0 in the next stanza.

GMU's leadoff batter was hit by a pitch, advanced to third base after a pair of singles, and scored the first of four runs on a wild pitch.

For the Dolphins, the six-hole, seven-hole pairing of Brown and McCourt delivered all night.

In the second inning, Brown ripped a leadoff double to left center, and later scored the Dolphins' first run of the game after capitalizing on the throw connected to McCourt's stolen base. Both recorded RBI-singles in the third to pull Jacksonville within two, 5-3. 

While scoring wasn't an issue for the Dolphins, that was also the case for George Mason who scored in five of the seven innings.

Brown went 3-for-4 at the plate while McCourt and Jacqueline Hodskins each added two RBIs.

The Dolphins are now 12-11 on the season.

Murray State and Ball State visit the First Coast Saturday for a two-day round-robin tournament. Action begins with the neutral site ballgame at 9 a.m. The Dolphins will face MSU at 11:30 a.m.