JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A strong pitching performance and timely hitting drove Jacksonville University baseball to a series opening 6-1 win over Liberty on Friday night at John Sessions Stadium.
 
Mason Adams threw 7.1 scoreless innings, striking out eight batters to set the tone for the Dolphins (14-10, 2-5).
 
With two-outs in the bottom of the third inning, Cam Ridley walked and advanced to second on a wild pitch. On a full count pitch, Chase Malloy lofted a base hit right over the out stretched glove of the Liberty shortstop to pick up an RBI, giving Jacksonville a 1-0 lead. 
 
The Dolphins and Flames found themselves in a pitching duel over the next few innings, as Liberty's starter went 4.1 innings only giving up one run. Mason Adams continued to impress every time he's out, flashing a 3.40 ERA so far this season.
 
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Malloy led off with a base hit right back up the middle that was followed by Jonah Diaz reaching on an error by the third baseman to put runners on first and second. Christian Coipel stepped in, only to get hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out for Blake DeLamielleure, who then hit one to the right side of the field, just underneath the glove of the first baseman to drive in two to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, the Flames got two runners on with only one out, but Tyler Naumann stranded both of them after back-to-back strikeouts to preserve the 3-0 Dolphin lead. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the inning, back-to-back hits by DeLamielleure and Ethan Campbell sparked a rally. A walk to Trace Burchard loaded the bases and Eli Flowers was hit by a pitch to extend the Dolphin lead to 4-0. An error on the left fielder would score two more runs to give Jacksonville a 6-0 lead.
 
Then in the top of the ninth inning, Blake Barquin finished it off.
 
ON DECK 
 
The Dolphins are back in action tomorrow night at John Sessions Stadium for game two of a three game series against the Liberty Flames. First pitch scheduled for 7:00 pm.

COACH'S COMMENTS

 

THREE STRIKES
 
·      With his eight strikeouts tonight, Mason Adams eclipsed his season strikeout total from last season. He now has 63 strikeouts on the year
·      Jonah Diaz say his 17-game hit streak and 20-game on-base streak come to a close
·      Jacksonville now has won on all but one Friday night this season