JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville University Softball split day one of the Green and Gold Classic Friday at the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex. The Dolphins (7-5) defeated Western Carolina 8-3 in game one before falling 4-2 to Penn State in game two.

vs. Western Carolina

Western Carolina (2-5) struck first on an RBI single by Madison Armstrong, scoring Erica Hayes from third in the top of the first inning.

Jacksonville answered the bell in the bottom of the frame. With the bases loaded and two out, Hannah Roberts ripped a bases-clearing double to right-center to put the Dolphins up 3-1.

The Catamounts cut into the lead to 3-2 in the third as Ashlyn Long scored an unearned run on a groundout by Kailey McNeil. 

Jordan Daniels, who was 3-for-4 on the afternoon, pushed Heather Roberts across on a third-inning double, giving Jacksonville a 4-2 lead. 

The Dolphins added four more runs in the fourth. Western Carolina added one more run on a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

Alyssa Bilodeau (4-1) pitched six innings in the win, striking out four and allowing three runs, two earned, on eight hits.

Western Carolina's Shaina Reed (1-1) allowed eight runs, four earned, on seven hits in the loss.

vs. Penn State

Facing a 2-0 deficit in the fourth after a pair of third-inning RBI singles by Penn State's Tori Dubois and Toni Polk, JU's Kristen Griffith erased the Nittany Lions lead with a two-RBI single to center field.

With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, Penn State's Dani Fey singled to leadoff the inning. Dubois brought her around on her second RBI single of the night, and it proved the difference in the game. Haley Holloway (1-1) took the loss.

Penn State added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh inning on another RBI off the bat of Polk. In the win, Jessica Cummings pitched six innings, striking out five and allowing two earned runs on five hits.

The Green and Gold Classic continues Saturday as JU hosts James Madison at 5 p.m. followed by a rematch with Penn State at 7:30 p.m. at the Pruitt Softball Complex.