JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville softball (2-3) hosted the Northern Iowa Panthers (4-3) Friday night, as part of the Osprey/Dolphin Invite. Jacksonville's pitching struggled early on, and a five-run first inning put them in a tough hole to climb out from. Though they added a pair of runs late, it was the Panthers collecting the 6-2 win.

The Panthers had a huge first inning, scoring five runs on three hits. Both teams went scoreless in the second, but after walking the leadoff batter in the top of the third, Seana Mora was replaced by Alyssa Bilodeau on the mound for JU. 

An error led to a sixth run being scored after Bilodeau took over, but the junior held her own throughout the rest of the game. Bilodeau recorded four strikeouts and had no earned runs after going the final five innings. 

Rodebaugh finally got Jacksonville on the board during the sixth inning after reaching with a bunt, and then scoring on a sacrifice fly down the right field line. The Dolphins added a second run in the seventh after Makenzie Buss hit a double to the fence in left center, then eventually scored on a throwing error. Buss went 2-for-3 on the night and Abby Genest collected the Dolphins' lone RBI. Meanwhile, Emma Olejniczak earned the win after going seven innings,  giving up four hits and two runs.

"We had a slow start. We didn't really get a great pitching effort from the git-go. She settled in, but it was just too late. We have to figure out how to start fast, and when we do that I think we play well. That's just the biggest key for us right now," said head coach Erica Ayers.

Jacksonville continues tournament play tomorrow when they host South Dakota State and Colgate in back-to-back games. Those contests will take place at 4:30 PM and 7 PM.