GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University softball team took to the road for the first time in the 2021 season as they squared off against the University of Florida in a midweek bout at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. The Dolphins (2-1) gave the #6/5 Gators (3-0) all they could handle Wednesday night, but fell in the final inning on a walk-off double by a score of 1-0.

After JU went down in order to start the game, things picked up in the bottom of the first inning. Florida's first three batters reached base with a double, walk and a single to put the Gators in position to score the night's first run, but Alyssa Bilodeau would have none of it, striking out the next three batters to leave the bases loaded.

In the third inning, JU collected their first hit of the game when Makenzie Buss reached on a two-out single to left field. Trying to get something going with two outs, Buss broke for second but was caught stealing on a close play at the bag to end the inning.

Florida had another opportunity in the fourth inning to push across the game's first run. Three-straight one-out singles loaded the bases, but once more, Bilodeau punched her way off the ropes, getting a pop out and a fly out to leave the bases full of Gators and keep the game scoreless.

Kassidy Cross gave JU their best chance to score in the fifth inning, splitting the left center gap for a leadoff double. After a flyout to center, Florida went to their bullpen to get out of the inning and was able to do so, leaving Cross in scoring position.

Buss singled once more in the sixth inning with one out but once more, Florida's pitching stymied the Dolphins as they left their third runner on base in the game.

As six innings came and went with no score, the game came down to the final inning. The Dolphins went down in order in the top half of the seventh before Florida needed only two batters in their half to end the game. A bunt single to third to start the inning was followed by a double to left center that plated the go-ahead run as the Gators eked out the win.

Bilodeau (2-1) worked six strong innings, striking out six against one walk and scattering nine hits. Buss finished the game 2-3 and Cross posted a 1-3 night.

The Dolphins will be back at the Debbie and Fred Pruitt Softball Complex Friday for games against two more SEC opponents in South Carolina and Auburn, scheduled for 3:30 PM 6 PM following a neutral site clash between the Gamecocks and Tigers at 1 PM.