JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- The Jacksonville softball team split its two games against Notre Dame and Samford on day one of the JU/UNF Invitational on Friday.

Junior Christa Pritchard pitched and Shelby Harpe combined for a one-hitter to set the tone against Samford.

"Christa gave us a solid start," said head coach Erica Ayers after the games. "She got her groundballs and did her job. Shelby was very good in relief, gave us a little lift." 

Madison Bratek and Alison Carter hit two home runs to lead the team offensively, while Kailey Harrigan picked up a pair of RBI in the Dolphins (3-5) victory.
 
GAME ONE VERSUS NOTRE DAME

Madison Bratek hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning, and Jazz Jones recorded her first RBI of the season, but Jacksonville fell 6-4 to ACC foe Notre Dame in the first game of the afternoon.
The Fighting Irish got things started in the first inning when a pair of runs crossed home off of a single to left field and a bases loaded ground out. Notre Dame would add two more on a sac fly and another RBI single in the fifth inning.

Jacksonville's offense answered in the fifth, as Alison Carter started the inning off with a single to left field. Gabi Robles then singled, and a fielder's choice had runners at the corners for JU. Jones then hit her first single of the season that resulted in her first RBI as well. Madison Bratek brought Jones and Kern home, and just like that, the game was knotted at four a piece.

In the top of the sixth inning, the first two Notre Dame bats reached on a double and an error, and then a bunt had the bases loaded on three batters. Anna Holloway, who had two hits on the afternoon, doubled to right field to bring home what would be the game-winning run for the Irish.
 
Ashlee Harwood (1-2) started in the circle for the Dolphins in game one and went four innings. She surrendered four runs on seven hits. Skylar Waggoner came on in relief and pitched the remainder of the contest. The freshman allowed one earned on six hits and walked one batter.
 
GAME TWO VERSUS SAMFORD

Christa Pritchard and Shelby Harpe spun a one-hitter and a walk-off home run from Alison Carter were the recipe for Jacksonville's game two victory of the JU/UNF Invitational against Samford.
 
In her second appearance of the season, Pritchard was lights out from the circle to start against the Bulldogs. The junior pitched three innings, and Harpe came in and did the rest.

With the game on the line in the seventh inning, Pritchard struck out two in a 1-2-3 top half of the inning. In the bottom half, Alison Carter led the frame off with a chance to put JU in position to win. The redshirt junior decided to take matters into her own hands and sent a big fly over the right field fence, ending the game in walk-off fashion for the Dolphins first win of the afternoon.

"That's what Alison can do," said Ayers. "She has tremendous power. she can change a game with one swing. Obviously a big moment tonight, and much needed."
 
UP NEXT

Jacksonville returns to action tomorrow morning for day two of the JU/UNF Invitational against North Carolina Wilmington. The first pitch is slated for 10 am and the game can be followed with livestats on JUDolphins.com.