JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville University softball (12-13) played two games against former ASUN tenant USC Upstate (18-6) Wednesday evening. After letting the first game slip, the Dolphins pulled off a come-from-behind victory in the second game to make it five wins over the past six days.
Kassidy Cross was trouble at the plate all day for the Spartans' pitchers. The junior went 6-8 for the day with an RBI to improve upon her already team-high batting average. Her one RBI proved to be an important one as it was the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth that gave Jacksonville the win over the Spartans in game two. Cross also recorded her 13th and 14th consecutive games with a hit.
While hitting wasn't the problem for Jacksonville, scoring runs was for both teams throughout much of the evening. The 'Phins stranded 19 runner in the two games, and USC Upstate left a total of 17 on base. It was the pitchers on both sides needing to work out of trying situations to keep both games low scoring. Haley Holloway allowed four runs in the first game, but found success during the middle innings. A 3-run top of the first for USC Upstate had Jacksonville in a hole, but the sophomore held the Spartans scoreless in five innings to go with a pair of strikeouts.
In the second game, Alyssa Bilodeau earned neither of the Spartans' runs in her 11th start of the season. The junior struck out seven and allowed just three hits. It was the 10th complete game of the season for Bilodeau and her sixth win.
The two runs the Spartans scored in the second game came as a result of errors in the third inning, but Jacksonville's hitters scored runs in each of the last three innings to come from behind and take the lead. One more Spartan would reach in the top of the seventh, but a final out made by Makenzie Buss gave the 'Phins their ninth all-time win against the former ASUN foe.
Other standout performances for the Dolphins included a 3-7 day for Buss and a 2-2 outing with a walk in the first game by Nydia Perez.
Next up, Jacksonville hits the road for a weekend series with Jacksonville State. The Dolphins will face the Gamecocks twice on Saturday, Mar. 16 beginning at 1 PM. Then, a third game on Sunday beginning at 1 PM as well. Each game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
