JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville softball program split its two games on Saturday against Southern Mississippi and Fordham in its final day of the River City Leadoff.

The Dolphins, (2-2) were steady in the circle all afternoon, as the three JU pitchers combined to allow just one earned run on two hits. Freshman Skylar Waggoner started for the second time in as many days against Fordham and was dynamite; throwing five innings of hitless softball and walking just one, while striking out four, en route to her first collegiate win. Shelby Harpe and Reese Wells tag teamed the Dolphins game against USM, and combined for three strikeouts on just two hits and one earned run.

"I thought the pitching was really good all day," said head coach Erica Ayers. "(Coach) Amanda calls a heck of a game and they performed well."
 
Allison and Madison Bratek continue their strong start to the season from the batters box. The tandem posted nine hits combined in the two games today, which also featured Madison adding two stolen bases and two runs, while her sister Allison hit her second home run already this season, and added three doubles and four RBI.
 
GAME ONE VERSUS SOUTHERN MISS
 
The Dolphins fell to Southern Miss 5-2 to start day two of the River City Leadoff. After a quick 1-2-3 first inning from Harpe, Jacksonville threatened immediately in the bottom half of the inning when Allison Bratek doubled into left-center. A Kailey Harrigan flyout advanced Bratek to third, but a hard-hit liner from Kari Holzrichter went right at the second baseman to stop the threat.
 
SMU capitalized on an early error by the Dolphins in the top of the second inning when the Golden Eagles hit a three-run blast to catapult themselves to a 3-0 lead. Allison Bratek got things started in the fourth inning for JU with a single up the middle. Harrigan then doubled through the left side to bring Bratek home, and Holzrichter followed suit with a single herself. Madison Bratek then hit an infield single, and Jacksonville had the bases loaded with one out. After an Averi Harcus walk that brought home Dacey Watterson, who was pinch running for Harrigan, ducks were on the pond for JU, but a strikeout and flyout stopped the Dolphins from scoring any more.
 
The Golden Eagles answered JU's two runs with two themselves in the top of the fifth after a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to re-extend their lead back to three. SMU's pitching staff remained consistent the rest of the way and helped the Golden Eagles to what was their first win of the weekend. "Today's loss really came down to our inability to pick the ball up off the dirt," said Ayers after the game. Her side had two errors in the contest.
 
GAME TWO VERSUS FORDHAM
 
Jacksonville responded brilliantly in all phases in its 9-0 route of Fordham to end its weekend of play. Waggoner pitched a near-perfect five innings for JU, as the team implemented the mercy rule in walk-off fashion with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-0 lead. "(I'm) really proud of the response today and the defensive support in Skylar's no-hitter today. Big-time catch in right-center from Alison Carter and some good range on the infield by Jazz Jones" The Dolphins' offense complemented their pitchers' efforts with a quick two runs in the home half of the first inning. Madison Bratek singled, and Allison hit a home run to bring the sisters home. Jacksonville threatened due to a walk, error, and hit by pitch loading the bases, but a pop-up stopped the bleeding from worsening anymore.
 
After a second consecutive 1-2-3 inning from Waggoner, Jacksonville added an additional pair of runs in the second inning. Madison Bratek singled, and Allison Bratek walked. Harrigan then ripped a double, scoring the Bratek sisters and giving JU more of a cushion. The fourth inning saw JU add an additional run via a Holzrichter sacrifice fly, but the fifth inning was where Jacksonville stamped the game complete. Madison Reynolds singled from a bunt to get things rolling, and, after a wild pitch and stolen base, Gabi Robles hit her home with a single up the middle. Consecutive walks and another wild pitch saw Robles score, and to put the cherry on top, Allison Bratek doubled to score Jazz Jones and Veronica Puckett to end the game.

"The Bratek's getting us going early gave us good momentum and these kids are tough and don't like losing so I'm not surprised they came out fired up," said Ayers. "The plan was to string quality at-bats together; all sorts of adjustments went into that (after the first game)." Jacksonville concluded its weekend with a 2-2 record as they opened the season hosting the River City Leadoff.
 
UP NEXT

The Dolphins return to action with a midweek matchup against instate rival, Florida, on Tuesday, February 13. Grandstand tickets for the game are sold out, but seating in the outfield is free and available. The game can be streamed on ESPN+, and first pitch is slated for a 6 pm start.