NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Hays went 4-5 with three doubles and a game-winning two-run home run in the ninth to lead Jacksonville to a 7-5 win against Lipscomb at Dugan Field Friday.
"That was a good team win. Everyone up and down the lineup contributed and no one panicked when we got down," said Head Coach Tim Montez. "We showed good leadership. I thought Michael Baumann threw the ball extremely well. The bullpen came in with a very important 1.2 innings by Casey Kulina."
Jacksonville (21-12, 3-1) began the ninth inning with a single by Parker Perez to set the stage for Hays' Atlantic Sun-leading 12th long ball. Hays finished with three RBI and posted his fourth consecutive three-or-better-hit game.
"He is seeing the ball well and doing a good job of providing leadership. As long as he continues to stay in the moment like he has been and stays humble, he is going to be very consistent throughout the rest of this season," said Montez.
The home run came against Lipscomb (18-16, 2-2) reliever Jaesung Hwang (0-1), who took the loss in his season debut.
The Dolphin rally started with two runs in the seventh. Sam Armstrong hit an opposite field double, and reached third on a Dakota Julylia groundout to first. Armstrong then scored on a passed ball. Later in the inning, Nathan Koslowksi pinch-hit for Michael Babb and smacked a single through the left side. He stole second base, and scored on Hays' third double of the night.
Jacksonville tied the game in the eighth inning. Seth DeWitt and Angel Camacho were each hit by pitches and reliever Dallas Gibson left for Alex Dorso. After Sam Armstrong struck out, Connor Stephens pinch-hit for Julylia and singled through the left side to score pinch-runner Chris Lehane and tie the contest.
Kulina (2-0) earned the victory in relief with a season-best four strikeouts in just 1.2 innings of relief.
Mike Cassala sealed the door in the ninth for his A-Sun leading ninth save, and registered the final out on a strikeout of Kevin Symonette.
The Dolphins struck first off Lipscomb starter Cody Glenn. In the second, Armstrong scored on a wild pitch after singling earlier. Jacksonville added a run an inning later with a JJ Gould RBI single.
Glenn gave up two earned runs off seven hits in two innings.
JU starter Baumann matched a career-best with nine strikeouts. He lasted 5.1 innings and gave up eight hits, four runs, and two walks in the no-decision.
Lipscomb took the lead in the sixth thanks to a three-run innings, capped by a Chucky Vasquez two-run home run.
The series continues with a 3:00 p.m. ET first pitch Saturday.
