CONWAY, S.C. - Jacksonville softball (5-8) played their road opener at Coastal Carolina Friday evening, as part of the Chanticleer Showdown. After giving up runs early, Jacksonville made a late push in the fourth and sixth innings to give themselves a chance. It was the Chanticleers, however, who came out on top 7-4.

It was Bilodeau making the start for the Dolphins. She recorded 10 strikeouts on the night, but a host of home runs by the Chanticleers made it a tough outing for the junior. The Chanticleers collected four runs in the first two innings, and that would be how the scoreboard sat until the game reached the fourth.

It took a few innings for the Dolphins' lineup to get going, but once they did there were hits to go around. Kassidy Cross got the scoring started for JU when she knocked a single to center field that sent Hannah Roberts home. Then in the sixth, it was Abby Genest earning a pair of RBIs when she homered to right. When the game headed to the bottom of the sixth Jacksonville trailed by just two runs.

Coastal Carolina built upon their lead in the sixth and seventh innings, collecting three more runs and making it a 7-4 game. Though Jacksonville sent one more over the fence in the top of the seventh, they'd end the game with one left on and their first road loss of the season.

Cross ended the night with the best average at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Makenzie Buss and Genest each hit homers. It was the second of the season for Genest. 

Jacksonville continues their season on the second day of the Chanticleer Showdown when they play Radford at 4:15 PM, then have a 6 PM start against Austin Peay.