DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville University baseball rallied in the ninth inning, but came up short, falling 4-3 to Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
The Dolphins (6-3) were held to just one run until the ninth, when they pushed across two runs, ultimately stranding the tying run at third.
The night started well, with JU getting a pair of base runners on in the first via walks. From there,
Blake DeLamielleure roped a single to right that scored the first run of the game.
JU threatened again in the second, using a walk and a hit batsman to put two more men on, but
Jonah Diaz flew out when the Wildcat rightfielder made a running catch while crashing into the wall to prevent the Dolphins from adding to the lead.
Heston Mosley got the start for the Dolphins, and registered seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings. The tying run scored in the second after the leadoff man was hit by a pitch, was sacrificed into scoring position and came home on an RBU single. The game stayed tied until the fifth, when Mosley walked the leadoff man and surrendered a tough RBI double on an opposite field popup that dropped in fair territory. With two outs, he induced a short squibber back to the mound, but his throw pulled
Christian Coipel off the bag and ended his night with the score 3-1.
The Wildcats tacked on one more in the seventh, while JU left seven on base from the second through the eighth innings. Relievers
Layton Perry,
Jack Carver and
Parker Murphy worked scoreless outings to keep the Dolphins within striking distance.
The ninth started with a double to left center by
Josh Steidl, followed by an RBI single from
Chase Malloy. Malloy advanced around to third on consecutive wild pitches and scored on an RBI groundout, but Diaz, who was at third after walking earlier in the inning, was left at third on a strikeout to end the game.
ON DECK
Jacksonville returns home to face Butler in three-game series this weekend at John Sessions Stadium. First pitch on Friday night is at 6 p.m.
THREE STRIKES
- Jacksonville pitching struck out a combined 11 batters on the night
- Jonah Diaz reached base four times in five plate appearances
- TJ Curd and Josh Steidl both recorded their first career base hits, both doubles
