JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University softball team (2-3) had its hands full with a pair of SEC opponents on Saturday afternoon, falling to South Carolina, 10-0 and Auburn, 5-1, respectively.
 
The tale of the South Carolina game can be told for the most part in the second inning when the Gamecocks pounded single after single to jump ahead before drawing a trio of bases-loaded walks to chase Jacksonville starter Skylar Whitty and build a 7-0 advantage early. Seana Mora came on in relief and handled herself well, surrendering just three runs the rest of the way but the damage was done.

The Dolphins did manage to spray six hits but after a diving catch in left field in the bottom of the first robbed a run, JU never really came close to threatening again. Victoria Rodebaugh, Hannah Roberts and Samantha Poehlman each had two hits to account for the entirety of the offense in game one.

The Auburn game maintained more uncertainty throughout. The Tigers built a 4-0 lead with runs in each of the first three innings against reigning ASUN Pitcher of the Week Alyssa Bilodeau. She did manage to strike out five in the complete-game effort, surrendering just three earned runs.

The run in the first inning may have been avoidable. A pickoff attempt at first sailed down the right field line, allowing a runner on second to come around and score. Bilodeau recorded the third out via strikeout just a couple of pitches later. One of the two runs scored in the third was also unearned.

Kailey Harrigan smoked a homer to left in the bottom of the seventh to provide a spark for the Dolphins who spread four hits across the lineup. Makenzie Buss, Rodebaugh and Kassidy Cross all added a single hit as well.

Jacksonville will regroup and head down to Tampa, Fla. for a double header with South Florida on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 21). First pitch in game one is scheduled for 3 p.m.