JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University baseball staked an early lead, and used shut-down pitching to defeat Florida A&M on Tuesday night at John Sessions Stadium.
JU (19-10) bested FAMU (14-18) in a pitcher's duel 2-1.
"It was all about the arms for us today," said Head Coach Chris Hayes. "Those four guys who threw for us were outstanding."
"I'm glad that we were able to scratch out some runs early, and our guys did a great job of making that stick for the rest of the game."
JU struck first, plating two runs in the bottom of the first, which proved to be the difference. Chris Lehane singled with one out, and Scott Dubrule followed it up with a base hit of his own. Two batters later, Sam Armstrong walked to load the bases before John Cassala hit a ball down to third that was mishandled, leading to the first run. Jacob Southern then singled into left to drive in the second run, but Armstrong was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.
FAMU got one back in the third, when Brett Maxwell singled to start the frame, followed by a walk to Octavien Moyer. Two-batters later, Jacky Miles, Jr. popped out in foul territory just beyond the visiting dugout. Maxwell tagged up and Angel Camacho's throw was just off-line to make it 2-1. That is where the scoring would end, but both team's threatened multiple times.
The biggest chance for FAMU came one inning later, when Spencer Stockton (2-4) relieved Austin Temple, and allowed a base hit and hit a batter to start his outing. A sacrifice bunt moved the runners over, and a slow tapper to third loaded the bases. Stockton bore down, and induced a bouncer back to the mound that he fielded, fired home, and Sothern relayed on to first for a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning and the threat.
"I was able to rely on the defense and throw more strikes," said Stockton. "I got in the situation through some bad luck, but kept my composure and worked with Southern, who did a great job today."
FAMU got close to tying it up once more in the seventh, when a pinch hitter led off with a single, was bunted to second, advanced to third on a groundout to short, but when stranded there when Stockton struck out Jordan Curtis looking to end the inning.
"I located the fastball early, trusted my catcher Southern to frame well, and worked with Coach Guerra and Southern tonight," said Stockton.
JU used four pitchers, who scattered five hits and allowed just the one run, while striking out 10 Rattler hitters. Chris Mauloni pitched a perfect ninth, striking out two, to earn his 11th save of the season.
Jacksonville was never able to add to its narrow margin, struggling with runners in scoring position all night, finishing the evening 1-9 in such spots.
"There is a controlled aggression you have to have at the plate in those situations," said Hayes. "I think we were overaggressive and it led to some pretty bad swings."
Jacksonville heads on the road tomorrow out to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles of Florida State for the second time this season. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Greg Shannahan takes the hill for JU.
