JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Underneath clear skies and sunshine, the Jacksonville University softball was back at the UNF Complex to wrap up the first of two River City Rumble series this season against crosstown rival North Florida. Sunday's series finale echoed the strong pitching performances seen in Saturday's doubleheader as one run was the difference in the game, with the Ospreys (9-9, 2-1)taking game three of the series over the Dolphins (13-7, 1-2) 1-0.
 
Runs were hard to come by once more Sunday as neither JU or UNF could plate the opening tally of the game in the first two innings, despite getting runners on base.
 
Jacksonville had a chance to get on the board first in the third inning with two outs when Victoria Rodebaugh singled back through the box with Haley Holloway pinch running at second base. Holloway, going on contact, raced around third toward home, but a strong throw in from the outfield beat Holloway to the plate and kept things scoreless.
 
The Ospreys carried that momentum from the top of the inning into their next at bats of the day, getting the leadoff batter on base by way of a Dolphins error. A fielder's choice and groundout on the next two batters saw UNF with a runner in scoring position with two away before a single through the right side of the infield pushed across what would end up being the go-ahead run.
 
The Dolphins in the fourth once more had an opportunity to get on the board and tie things up. Kassidy Cross led off with a bunt single and advanced to second after a Caroline Watson single with one out. Allison Bratek followed with a single to centerfield and once more, the UNF defense cut down a would-be Dolphin run at the plate. Hallie Kern singled to left field to load the bases for JU with two outs in the inning, but nothing would come of it as a flyout ended the inning.
 
Jacksonville got another runner in scoring position in the sixth inning when Bratek doubled to left field with two outs, but again UNF tight roped out of danger to maintain their one-run lead. The Dolphins went down in order in the seventh as the Ospreys took the game and the first ASUN Conference series of the season.
 
Skylar Whitty (6-2) was tagged with the hard-luck loss, working six innings and allowing just the one unearned run on only two hits. Watson and Bratek each turned in two-hit games for Jacksonville, who out-hit North Florida 7-2, but left six runners on base in the game.
 
The Dolphins will return to the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex this weekend to open a seven-game homestand with a three game ASUN Conference series with Stetson. The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader Saturday March 20 with first pitch set for 1 PM.