JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University softball (4-0) continued its winning ways Saturday with a pair of victories over George Mason and Appalachian State in day two of the River City Leadoff. The Dolphins' offense pumped out 10 runs in five innings versus GMU before closing the day with a 4-0 shutout over the Mountaineers.
"We are a totally different ball club than we were last year. We are much more athletic and dynamic, and have been putting a lot more pressure on the opposing teams," said Head Coach Jennifer Steele. "We stole a lot of bases today, and had runners in action the entire time. When we needed to get the big hit, we were able to get it; it's just very exciting and a lot of fun so far."
vs. George Mason
Jacksonville scored a run in all but one inning in the 10-2 success over George Mason.
Allie McCourt got things started on the Dolphins' very first at-bat with a single to right center, and stole the next two bases – the Dolphins combined for 11 swiped bags against the Patriots – before stamping home plate after a double by Danielle Baker.
Jacksonville held a 5-0 advantage heading into the fourth inning until Mason's designated player Sydnee Wells tagged a two-RBI double to left field. The runs were quickly erased in the home half of the inning as the Dolphins took advantage of three GMU errors to score three runs.
Taylor Thorpe pitched four innings, allowing two hits and two runs for her second win of the season. Baker finished the evening 1-for-2 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
vs. Appalachian State
Madison Ragan received the starting nod in game two and retired the first four batters en route to her first win of the season. In a complete game, she limited the Mountaineers to four hits while fanning three.
Bethany Kursch broke the game's scoreless stalemate in the bottom of the third where she recorded an RBI on a sacrifice fly to right field, and Heather Roberts brought another run home with a single.
McCourt kicked off the fifth inning with a leadoff triple and crossed home plate on the next at-bat, a single by Baker.
Roberts crowned game two with a perfect 3-for-3 effort at the plate while McCourt and Baker went 2-for-4.
The Dolphins return to the field tomorrow in the finale of the River City Leadoff to take on the College of Charleston at 2:30 p.m.
