Box Score JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville softball closed out opening weekend of its 2020 campaign with a 5-1 victory over Villanova in the final day of the River City Leadoff Tournament.

Senior pitcher Alyssa Bilodeau kept Villanova scoreless through six innings while recording 11 strike outs and only allowing two hits.

"I am very happy with the effort and intensity today. We challenged them to win the weekend and bounce back against a team that beat us pretty bad yesterday and they rose to the challenge. We have some things to clean up heading into next weekend but today they were a fun group to watch," commented Head Coach Erica Ayers. 

The lone run of the afternoon for Villanova came when Dani Dabrowski reached home on a throwing error.

The Jacksonville offense stunned in the second half of the game, recording all five of their runs in the bottom of the 6th. Sophomore Nydia Perez found herself on second base in position to score after senior Kassidy Cross grounded out to the short stop. Junior Hannah Roberts then doubled to left field allowing Perez to advance home. With sophomore Victoria Rodebaugh on second base to pinch run for Roberts freshman Caroline Watson singled to left field allowing Rodebaugh to score.

Jacksonville kept the momentum rolling as freshman Alyssa Gennaro-Ferrante stepped in to pinch run for Watson. Freshman Madison Kennedy singled to left field allowing Gennaro-Ferrante to move to second. With runners placed on first and second graduate student Jacqueline Hodskins homered to left field allowing Jacksonville to clear all the bases.

Bilodeau sealed the victory for Jacksonville in the 7th striking out two batters while Julia Dacosta of Villanova popped up to shortstop for an out.

Jacksonville will maintain their home stand as they host the Osprey Dolphin Invite starting Friday, February 14^th. The Dolphins will kick off the weekend against Ball State at 5pm.