JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville University softball team was back at the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex Saturday as they welcomed crosstown rival North Florida for the second meeting of the season between the teams to open a seven-game homestand. The Dolphins (19-12, 7-6) were unable to overcome a big first inning by the Ospreys (14-18, 6-7), as the visitors took the series opener 6-3.
 
The difference in the game was a five-run first inning by North Florida, as 10 batters came to the plate in the opening half inning. Following back-to-back singles to open the ballgame, the Ospreys loaded the bases and scored twice on three-straight hit by pitches from Dolphin starter Skylar Whitty. Alyssa Bilodeau entered the game in relief and retired the first Osprey she faced, but UNF managed three more runs by way of a pair of RBI singles sandwiched around a sacrifice fly to lead 5-0 after their first at-bats of the day.
 
Jacksonville managed a run in the third inning, when Hannah Roberts, playing in her first game since March 7, singled home Samantha Poehlman after she led things off with a single.
 
Despite beautiful weather earlier in the day, Mother Nature once more played a role in a game for the Dolphins, as with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, a lightning strike within eight miles of the field brought about a cessation of action and was prolonged by some afternoon thunderstorms. Play resumed after a delay of nearly two and a half hours as Bilodeau returned to the circle to record the final out of the top of the fourth inning.
 
UNF managed a run in the seventh inning by way of an RBI single after a leadoff triple to increase their lead to 6-1.
 
JU managed two runs in the seventh on an RBI triple by Kassidy Cross and an RBI groundout by Madison Kennedy, but a comeback was not in the cards as the Dolphins fell by a final score of 6-3.
 
Whitty (7-6) was charged with the loss, allowing five runs on only two hits. Bilodeau turned in a strong effort in relief, working seven innings and allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out five.
 
Due to additional forecasted inclement weather, the final two games of the series will be played as a doubleheader slated for Monday afternoon at the Debbie & Fred Pruitt Softball Complex.