TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Jacksonville University's softball team was in perfect position to shock No. 9/8 Florida State Wednesday – loading the bases with no outs in the sixth – but fell, 4-0, against the instate competitor.

"I think it would have been a different ballgame heading into the sixth had it been scoreless, which I think it should have," said Head Coach Jennifer Steele. "We really gave them those two runs. Going into the sixth with the bases loaded, if it was a zero-zero ballgame, we stay on the attack right there instead of feeling the pressure.

"We definitely had a big chance but just didn't get the timely hit. I'm proud of the adjustments we made this week during practice. We got a lot of good work in to give a quality ball club a good game today. Hopefully, we build on this as we head to Upstate." 

Ciara Jones attempted a diving grab, and nearly came away with the out, but FSU recorded the first hit of the evening. With the exception of a Seminole hit by pitch, Jacksonville's defensive efforts were able to keep the base paths virtually empty until the third inning where the home side recorded two runs.

On the opposite side of the box, Jessica Burroughs recorded eight strikeouts while ceding one hit, a single to Heather Roberts.

Meghan King relieved Burroughs in the top of the sixth, and gave up a base hit to the first batter she faced. The Dolphins quickly hopped on the freshman pitcher, placing a runner on each square, but couldn't score a run after Burroughs returned to the circle and sat down the next three hitters in order.

In the home half of the inning a two-RBI single cemented the final score.

Victoria Brown allowed five hits and four runs in six innings of action. Burroughs earned the win, finishing the game with 10 strikeouts.

Jacksonville caps its 10-game road swing Saturday with a three-game Atlantic Sun series at USC Upstate.