JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Danielle Baker blasted a walk-off three-run homerun with two outs in the ninth inning against Appalachian State, and the Dolphins scored runs in the second, fourth, and sixth innings to seal a win against George Mason to open the 2017 River City Leadoff on a high note, Friday evening.
vs. Appalachian State
Tied at 1-1 heading into extra innings in game one, Appalachian State scored on a passed ball with one out and the Dolphin middle infield made light work of the next two batters to go to the bottom of the eighth down 2-1.
With a runner placed on second to begin the eighth inning per international tie-breaker rules, Heather Roberts laid a sacrifice bunt down the third base line to advance Seana Mora to third. With two outs, Mora took advantage on a wild pitch to knot the game at 2-2.
Alisha Josey gave the visitors the lead once again in the top of the ninth and the Dolphins quickly found themselves down to their last out after the Mountaineers turned a double play. Makenzie Buss poked the ball to left center to start the Green and White rally and Allie McCourt knocked her around to third after hitting a double to the same spot. Baker then blasted the ball over the left field wall in heroic fashion to give JU a 5-3 win.
"After we had the two outs right away in the ninth inning and Makenzie [Buss] got on and Allie [McCourt] followed, we didn't think they were going to pitch to Danielle [Baker]," said Head Coach Jennifer Steele, "but they did and she did a good job of executing and got her pitch."
With 5.0 innings on the mound, Taylor Thorpe earned the win.
vs. George Mason
Jacksonville took advantage of two Patriot errors in the second inning to take a quick 2-0 lead over George Mason. Sydnee Wells doubled to right field and was awarded third base on a balk, then got the Patriots on the board after crossing the plate on a wild pitch to bring the game within one, 2-1, in the top of the fourth.
The Dolphins earned that run back in the bottom of the frame when two more Patriot errors allowed Buss to score.
JU added its final run in the bottom of the sixth when Baker laid down a bunt and an errant throw allowed Jordan Daniels to cross the plate. Three quick outs in the top of the seventh sealed the win for the hosts, 4-1.
"We played small ball and we don't typically do that," added Steele. "We always had our foot on the gas. By pushing the envelope with the aggression early in the season and early in games, it's definitely going to pay off for us."
Bilodeau threw a complete game with four strikeouts for the win.
Madison Ragan finished the day 3-for-5 at the plate with two doubles. "I just wanted to prove myself. I've been trying to produce the way they [coaching staff] want me to and I feel like I did a good job of that tonight," Ragan said. "It was big to start off with two wins; it sets the tone for the rest of the season."
Buss finished 4-for-6 with an RBI and two stolen bases, while Baker drove in four runs and added a stolen base. McCourt was hot on the base paths with three stolen bases.
"We relied on the homerun in game one to walk off, but against Mason we got the bunt down and ran quite a few action plays," said Steele. "I was excited to see us win in two different ways."
The Dolphins return to the field tomorrow to square off the George Mason at 2:30 pm, and face Appalachian State at 5:00 pm.
