JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Early scoring and solid work out of the bullpen, including Mike Cassala's school-record tying 12th save of the season helped Jacksonville to a 5-3 triumph against NJIT Sunday at Sessions Stadium. The win gave Jacksonville (32-18, 13-5) a weekend sweep of NJIT (17-32, 2-15) and its second Atlantic Sun series sweep of the season.
"Saves are mostly a team stat because I wouldn't get a save if the team didn't get a lead," said Cassala. "We took care of business today and are still in control of having one of the top seeds for the conference tournament."
The Dolphins got on the scoreboard quickly with a run in the first. Austin Hays drew a four-pitch walk with one out for JU's first baserunner. JJ Gould then stroked a double to left-center and Hays hustled from first to score the game's first run.
An inning later, Connor Stephens singled and Dakota Julylia walked to ignite the second. Both runners stole a bag to set themselves in scoring position. After a popup, Cassala, who started the game at catcher, took a 1-0 pitch into centerfield to score his fellow freshmen, but was out a second trying to stretch the hit into a double.
"I was trying to hit a low line-drive, got some elevation, and hit it up the middle," said Cassala.
NJIT put its first dent in the run column with a two-run home run in the third. Jesse Uttendorfer singled and Stephan Halibej smacked a shot to deep left for his fourth long ball of the year.
Jacksonville answered with a run an inning later. Andres Fernandez replaced starter Bryan Haberstroh (1-5) and hit Angel Camacho. Julylia singled to move Camacho to second, and both runners would advance on a wild pitch. That would allow Nathan Koslowksi to drive in his 20th run of the season with a groundout to second.
Each team traded a run in the sixth. Tom Brady laid down a sacrifice bunt to move a pair of runners in scoring position after NJIT led off with back-to-back singles by Johnny Malatesta and Edgar Badaraco. Spencer Stockton came on in relief for the first time in 2016 and nearly induced a double play, but Justin Etts narrowly beat the throw to first for an RBI fielder's choice. After loading the bases with a walk, Stockton snared a hot shot back to the hill and kept the Jacksonville lead with a 4-3 score.
Kulina (4-0) finished with 5.1 innings, six hits, three runs, two walks, and matched a season-high with four strikeouts. After giving up the third inning home run, Kulina did not allow a hit until the sixth, and had a string of eight-consecutive batters retired.
The Dolphins scored in the sixth thanks to a Highlander miscue. Sam Armstrong reached first via a single, and on a heads-up play advanced to second on a Camacho popup in third base foul territory. Stephens singled for the second time, and a throwing error by Malatesta at second gave room for Armstrong to score.
Stockton would not allow a run by pitching through the eighth inning, and only gave up two hits in his 2.2 relief innings. He both walked and fanned three batters.
Mike Cassala switched from his catcher duties to closer role and pitched a clean ninth with a strikeout. His 12 saves on the season ties him with Casey Shumaker's 2001 total in the JU single-season record book.
With the win, Jacksonville concludes its 2016 home slate with an impressive 21-7 overall record and 9-3 mark in home A-Sun games.
"Our team did a good job this season of protecting our home field," said Head Coach Tim Montez. "We had not done that in a while and I am proud of our team's efforts in how we competed at Sessions Stadium."
"We need to finish the regular season on a strong note this week with a chance at having the top seed in the conference tournament," said Montez.
Jacksonville faces USF in Tampa, Fla., Tuesday with a 6:00 p.m. first pitch. After the midweek game against the Bulls, the Dolphins journey to USC Upstate for the final regular season A-Sun series. Jacksonville remains at second place in the standings behind Kennesaw State.
