NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nathan Disch pitched 8.1 shutout innings and Jacksonville scored twice with two outs in the eighth to clinch the series with a 2-0 victory against Lipscomb at Dugan Field Saturday.
Jacksonville (22-12, 4-1) broke open a scoreless tie in the eighth inning with three straight two-out singles off Lipscomb (18-17, 2-3) starter Jeffrey Passantino (5-2). Franco Guardascione singled to centerfield, then Dakota Julylia duplicated his effort. Parker Perez stepped in and delivered the game-winning RBI with a base knock to center, and would reach third and score Julylia off an error at third following his hit.
"Disch gave us a great opportunity to get the job done," said Perez. "The pitch was an off-speed left up and I kept my head through the zone and made it happen."
Disch (5-3) nearly threw his second consecutive complete game. The junior from Appleton, Wis., carried a perfect game into the fifth inning until Zeke Dodson led off with a single. He allowed his second hit of the day and a walk an inning later. After setting down the side in order in the seventh, he allowed a leadoff single to start the eighth. Pinch-hitter Tyler Bethune rolled into a 4-6-3 twin-killer and Disch would close the frame without a run. After a one-out single by Lee Solomon in the ninth, Mike Cassala came on in relief. Disch finished with four hits, one walk, and posted a new career mark with eight strikeouts.
"My off-speed for strikes was key. Franco (Guardascione) worked for me at catcher and my defense was able to get me through the game again," said Disch. "This team is phenomenal. I love the team chemistry. Everyone is cheering on each other, and it's a fun atmosphere."
Cassala gave up one hit and induced a pair of fly outs to earn his conference-leading 10th save and his second of the series.
Passantino took the tough loss with two runs, one earned, off five hits, a walk, and six strikeouts, while Perez led the Dolphin offense with two hits and his RBI.
"It's a great win. We have to stay with the process and come out with the same intensity and focus tomorrow," said Perez.
Jacksonville aims for a series sweep with a 12:00 p.m. ET first pitch Sunday.
