TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jacksonville scored eight unanswered runs and its bullpen gave up no earned runs in an 8-5 comeback win at Florida A&M Tuesday.
"It wasn't the cleanest midweek game but our guys did a nice job of not panicking after the four runs in the first," said Head Coach Tim Montez. "The key to today's game was the work out of the bullpen. Two of our older guys, Casey Kulina and Jeff Tanner, didn't have their best stuff but grinded it out and showed great composure and leadership."
Jacksonville's (20-12) Sam Armstrong dealt the game-winning blow with a three-run homer in the eighth. Franco Guardascione led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch, his last of three on the evening. Austin Hays later drew an intentional walk after his third consecutive three-hit day, and Armstrong delivered both home on his first home run of the season in a crushing blast to right.
"They did the right thing in walking Hays, and Sammy did a nice job of capitalizing in that situation, he was due," said Montez.
The Dolphins began the rally over Florida A&M (21-11) in the third. Dakota Julylia doubled to left and Hays' first hit of the day was an RBI single.
In the fifth, Hays drove in the second Dolphin run on his Atlantic Sun-leading 11th long ball of the year with a solo shot opposite way to right.
The Dolphins took the lead in the sixth. Seth DeWitt and Evan Fernandez each reached, and Nathan Koslowski bunted the two in scoring position. Guardascione then singled to right to drive in DeWitt, and an error by the right fielder allowed Fernandez to score and Guardascione advanced to third. Dakota Julylia laid down a sacrifice bunt and Guardascione scored to give Jacksonville the lead, 6-5.
The Rattlers opened the game with four two-out runs in the first off starter Chris Gau. Kulina began the second inning and despite allowing three hits and three walks, kept the hosts from scoring. He led all Dolphin pitchers with three strikeouts in his 2.2 innings. The Rattlers struggled with stranding runners throughout the game, and left a total of 12 on-base.
Tanner (1-0) garnered the victory with two hits, no runs, a walk and a strikeout over 2.1 innings.
Kyle Arjona gave up no hits and an unearned run in his two innings of relief, and Mike Cassala walked away with his A-Sun leading eighth save of the season in a 1-2-3 ninth.
Tyler Reker (1-2), one of eight hurlers used by FAMU, was saddled with the loss after giving up a run on three hits.
Up next, Jacksonville dips back into A-Sun play with a three-game series at Lipscomb beginning Friday.
