SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Jacksonville University softball team played its final nonconference doubleheader Tuesday, splitting action at Savannah State (19-19) in a 14-10 victory and an 8-4 defeat.
"We're really confident in our offense right now," said Head Coach Jennifer Steele. "I think the work that we've been putting in these past few weeks and the success we've had lately makes us feel like we can comeback in any game. If we have an out, we have a chance."
The Dolphins (24-25) were down to their final out of the ballgame when Heather Roberts drove a 2-0 pitch to left field for her first career grand slam. The shot sealed the team's third straight comeback win.
"I'm proud of the girls for continuing to fight and have aggression late in ballgames," continued Steele. "We were really lucky to escape that game with the win. We gave up 17 hits, but if you score 14 runs, you should win a lot of ballgames."
Three consecutive hits -- crowned by a two-RBI double from Emily Sanchez -- saw the Dolphins up at the end of the first half-inning, and the advantage swelled to 8-3 midway through the fourth.
Savannah State loaded the bases all four innings, but were unable to do much damage until the seven-hit, six-run frame where it took a 9-8 lead.
Victoria Brown's single to right field tied the game in the very next inning and the Lady Tigers regained a one-run edge on an RBI-groundout in the sixth.
The game was decided after back-to-back errors on SSU's third baseman. With two outs on the board, she bobbled a pair of routine groundballs to setup Roberts' heroics.
Taylor Rossman recorded the win in 3.2 innings of action and was selected as the starting pitcher of game two.
Both sides scored runs in the third inning and Jacqueline Hodskins, who saw action at shortstop, broke the stalemate with an RBI-double to center field in the fifth. The hit sparked a three-run inning as JU jumped ahead 4-1.
The Lady Tigers countered with five runs in the home half of the inning and tacked on a couple of insurance scores in the sixth for the 8-4 edge.
The Dolphins went to load the bases in the seventh, and left all three stranded.
Saturday, Jacksonville returns to Atlantic Sun play for a three-game tilt at Stetson.
