FORT MYERS, Fla. – With three stolen bases, Jacksonville University softball broke the program's single-season record with 78 stolen bases on the year and earned a split against defending ASUN Conference champs Florida Gulf Coast, Saturday, as the Green and White dropped game one, 6-2, and bounced back for a 3-2 victory in game two.

Allie McCourt, Makenzie Buss, and Madison Ragan all had stolen bases to help the Dolphins break the previous record of 77, set by the 2015 team.

"It's nice to finally have the personnel to run and put pressure on the opposing team," said Head Coach Jennifer Steele. "It's two fold – veteran players have improved over time and we have been able to recruit more athletic student-athletes. We are tough to defend when our speedy kids get on and our power hitters put the ball in the alleys."

Game One

Despite scoring first, and later cutting the Eagles' deficit to 3-2, the Dolphins were unable to keep FGCU at bay after a duo of home runs propelled the hosts to a 6-2 victory in game one.

The Dolphins (21-13, 1-1 ASUN) scored first in the top of the third when Danielle Baker popped the ball over the Eagle third baseman's head to bring Buss home for an early 1-0 lead.

However, the Dolphin advantage didn't last long as a three-run home run from FGCU's Raquel Fournet with two outs gave the hosts a 3-1 lead.

Later, in the top of the fifth with runners on first and second, Heather Roberts doubled down the left field line to get Ciara Jones across the plate and cut the Eagles' lead to 3-2.

Fournet added an insurance tally for the Eagles (19-14, 1-1 ASUN) on a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth and a two-run double later in the inning put the Eagles up 6-2.

The Dolphins were able to load the bases, but a fielder's choice at second ended the half inning to seal the win for FGCU.

Taylor Thorpe (7-4) tossed a complete game and allowed nine hits to endure the loss.

Game Two

Game two seemed to be playing out in similar fashion to the previous match as the Dolphins scored first, but FGCU stormed back to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fourth. The ending was a little different this time around as the Dolphins drove in two runs in the top of the fifth and held on for the 3-2 win.

Roberts connected with Baker in the bottom of the first to get the Eagle runner out at second to quash FGCU's early scoring opportunity.

JU then got on the board in the top of the second when Ragan drove in Buss on a blooper into shallow right to go up 1-0.

An Eagle sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth brought in Ashley Swiderski, who led off with a triple. Brittany McGuire followed up with a solo home run over the center field wall to give FGCU a 2-1 lead.

Down one heading into the fifth with tons of fight left, Ragan led off with a double to the right field fence and came across the plate on a single through the right side by Jordan Daniels to tie the game. Later, with the bases loaded and two outs, Bethany Kursch drove the ball in to left field to send McCourt home and give JU its final 3-2 lead.

"It was a little bit surprising [giving up three home runs], but when conference play starts, anything can happen and everyone brings their A game. The third game is going to be a rubber match," added Steele.

After going 0-for-3 in game one, Ragan bounced back going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI and a stolen base. Ragan also threw 3.1 innings in game two - and gave up one hit and struck out three - to get the win and improve to 5-3 in the circle.

"I had to go hit in the cages by myself to take a step back and decide that I didn't want the snowball effect and make things worse. I wanted to stop the bleeding and play the way I've been playing all year and make up for the game before," said Ragan.

After one particularly great catch by Kristen Griffith in right field, Ragan beamed. "I was really proud; watching my teammates make the plays behind me was fun."

McCourt finished the day 3-for-6 at the plate with a walk and a stolen base, while Baker was 2-for-6 with a walk and two RBI.

The Dolphins return to the diamond tomorrow to close out the series with FGCU at 1:00 p.m.