NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Despite a three-run home run and its ace in the circle, Jacksonville University softball endured a 4-3 heartbreaking loss in the series finale against ASUN Conference foe Lipscomb, Sunday afternoon at Draper Diamond.
"Gut-wrenching is the only way to describe it," stated head coach Erica Ayers. "Credit to Lipscomb for their play this weekend, but there were moments where we fell apart. We have to be better as an entire unit to stop the bleeding when something goes wrong."
Retiring the first six Bisons over the Dolphins (21-19, 3-3 ASUN) retired the first six Bisons over the first two innings and sophomore Alyssa Bilodeau struck out four of those – two looking – to lead the charge.
With runners on first and third and two outs in the top of the third inning, freshman Hannah Roberts blasted a three-run homer past the right field fence to put the Dolphins ahead, 3-0.
Jacksonville's lead was short-lived, however, as the Bisons (26-10, 6-3 ASUN) found an answer for each run in the bottom half of the frame on a sacrifice bunt, then a two-run double to even the game at 3-3.
The Dolphins saw a pair of opportunities with two outs over the next two innings as senior Allie McCourt drew a walk in the top of the fourth and Hannah Roberts got on base with an infield single in the top of the fifth, but Lipscomb found a way to quash the Dolphins' chances.
With runners on first and third in the bottom of the fifth, Lipscomb's Abby Fenichel doubled to drive in the game-winning run and make it 4-3 in favor of the hosts.
The Dolphins went down in order in the top of the sixth, and senior Kamille Larrabee connected with classmate Danielle Baker on second to catch a Bison stealing to send the game to the seventh.
With two outs and the Dolphins down to their last opportunity, senior Heather Roberts drew a four-ball walk. A single into left field from senior Madison Ragan moved sophomore Seana Mora, who pinch ran for Roberts, over to second to keep Jacksonville's hopes alive. As fate would have it, however, completing the comeback was not in the cards for the Dolphins, as Bison pitcher and 2017 ASUN leader in strikeouts Mandy Jordan closed out the game to preserve the win for the hosts.
Hannah Roberts finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, while Heather Roberts went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Ragan (1-4) and senior Jordan Daniels (1-4) also distributed a hit for the Dolphins.
Bilodeau tossed her 13th complete game of the season and struck out four to shoulder the loss and fall to 13-7 on the year.
Fenichel led the Bisons with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate with three of the Bisons' four RBI, while Chloe Yeager and Jordan split the workload in the circle. Yeager tossed the first 3.2 innings and allowed all three of the Dolphins' earned runs, while Jordan finished the final 3.1 innings and allowed two hits to move to 15-3 on the year.
The Dolphins return home to Debbie and Fred Pruitt Softball Complex this Wednesday, April 11 for a mid-week matchup with Florida A&M under the lights at 6 p.m.
