JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville University baseball dropped the final game of the series 5-3 to Kennesaw State on Sunday at John Sessions Stadium.
The Dolphins (11-8, 0-3) suffered a home sweep at the hands of the Owls to open up ASUN Conference play.
In the top of the first inning, the second batter in the Kennesaw State lineup hit a solo shot over the left field wall to give the Owls the early 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of third inning,
Chase Malloy drew a one-out walk, then stole second base and advance to third on a throwing error by the catcher as the ball soared into centerfield. A walk to
Jonah Diaz that was followed by
Christian Coipel getting hit by a pitch to load the bases with only one out. Blake DeLamiellure picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center field to tie the game 1-1.
Jake Berg stepped in and produced an RBI and the first base hit of the game for Jacksonville to give the Dolphins the lead, 2-1.
Kennesaw State responded in the next half inning, starting the top of the fourth with a one-out walk to get the Owls in business. The runner advanced on a wild pitch and a base hit drove him home to tie the ball game, 2-2.
The Owls got it going again in the top of the sixth inning with a one-out base hit through the right side. After a ground ball to get the second out that advanced the runner to second base, an RBI base hit for Kennesaw State gave them a 3-2 lead.
However, Jacksonville was not going anywhere as
Jake Berg led off the bottom of the sixth with a double. An infield single by
Jackson Grabsky put runners at the corners with nobody out. A sacrifice fly by
Tommy Joseph scored the run to tie the game at three.
In the top of seventh with one out, after a Dolphin pitching change, Kennesaw State blasted its second home run of the game, this one to right field to regain the lead 4-3. In the eighth, the Owls continued to add to their lead after a walk and a stolen base, driving in another run on a base hit to extend the lead to 5-3.
Christian Graham got the start for Jacksonville, going 5.1 innings and recording four strikeouts, while surrendering three runs.
Leighton Alley,
Jack Carver and
Tyler Vogel all appeared in relief.
ON DECK
The Dolphins travel to Fort Myers to take on the FGCU Eagles next weekend in a three-game series. First pitch at Swanson Stadium next Friday night is scheduled for 6 p.m.
COACH'S COMMENTS
THREE STRIKES
· The 5.1 innings for
Christian Graham was a career-long start for the redshirt-junior righthander
·
Jonah Diaz drew a walk and collected a single to extend his hit streak to 13 games and on-base streak to 16 games.
Blake DeLamielleure's on-base streak ended at 15 games, a career-best for the sophomore
· JU was swept by Kennesaw State for the first time since 2008 and only the second time ever
