JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville University baseball took the series over Troy with Sunday's 5-3 win.

Christian Graham earned his first decision of the season and moves to 1-0 after five innings of work, giving up only one run with eight strikeouts. Blake Barquin came in to relieve Graham in the sixth inning and would gave up two earned runs and struck out two Trojan batters. Tyler Vogel picked up his fourth save of the season, striking out the side in the ninth inning to preserve the win.

Troy was first to strike in the top of the second on a one-out single and a stolen base, with the runner advancing to third on a throwing error. An RBI single followed to give the Trojans an early lead, 1-0. It did not last long, however, as Jacksonville led off the bottom of the second with a Jackson Grabsky single. A base hit by Jake Berg advanced Grabsky to third, but Berg was thrown out trying to advance to second. A two-out wild pitch with Blake DeLamiellure standing in the batter's box scored Grabsky to tie the game at one. 

The Dolphins added another run in the bottom of the fourth inning after a Grabsky one-out walk. After a fly out, Jesus Pacheco delivered a two-out RBI double to make it 2-1 Jacksonville. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Dolphins added to their lead. Berg got aboard via a walk to get the rally started. Pacheco then doubled for the second time, moving Berg to third. DeLamiellure delivered a two-RBI double to make it 4-1 Dolphins.

However, Troy did not go away quietly. The eighth inning started with two walks which were followed by a RBI double and a RBI single. However, the Trojans got aggressive on the basepaths and sent a runner from second on the single and a perfect throw by Jonah Diaz in left nailed the runner at home to preserve the Jacksonville lead, 4-3. 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Dolphins added an insurance run and Christian Coipel led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. After two strikeouts, Pacheco reached first base on an error on the Trojan third baseman. DeLamiellure then stepped in and on a wild pitch, Coipel scored to extend the lead 5-3.

Vogel came in and allowed the first Trojan batter aboard via a walk. After two strikeouts, Troy got a base hit to put runners at the corners. However, Vogel did not back down and struck out the side to pick up his fourth save of the season.

ON DECK

The Dolphins are back in action on Tuesday night against the Georgia Southern Eagles at John Sessions Stadium at 6:00pm. 

COACH'S COMMENTS

 

THREE STRIKES

• Christian Graham's five innings and eight strikeouts were both career-bests
• Blake DeLamielleure collected his first multi-RBI game of the season and second of his career
• Jacksonville is off to its best seven-game start since 2008