Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jacksonville (5-11) was defeated by Bethune-Cookman (7-9), with the final score being 4-3.
Blake Barquin got the start on the mound against the Wildcats and pitched 4.2 innings, giving up three runs (all earned) on five hits, walked three and struck out four. He was given a no decision.
Bethune-Cookman took the lead early, adding a run in both the first and second inning, to give them a 2-0 advantage.
The Dolphins kept battling and responded in the top of the fifth. Aidan Masters started off the inning with a base hit to left field. Tanner Zellem would drive Masters in with a RBI triple to get the 'Phins on the board. Later in the inning, Justin Nadeau drove in Zellem on a RBI single to tie things up at two.
Bethune would quickly respond in the bottom of the fifth with a run of their own, taking back the lead with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Tommy Allman would come in to relieve Barquin, and got a fly out to end the inning to avoid any further damage.
Jacksonville fought back and tied things back up in the eighth with a clutch Josh Steidl solo home run. Allman stayed hot and struck out two in the bottom of the eighth, to send the game into the ninth tied up at three.
Divine Valle came into pitch in the bottom of ninth to relieve Allman. The Junior from Michigan pitched 3.1 innings, striking out four and only giving up two hits.
Valle started off the bottom of the ninth hot with a strikeout. The next Wildcats batter reached on a infield single that was a tough play to make for the shortstop Masters. The lone Bethune base runner would steal second and then advanced to third on a 4-3 groundout. After a walk on a 3-2 count, Isaac Williams came into pitch for Valle. A line drive hit walked off for the Wildcats, with the Dolphins falling just short.
Three Strikes
- Josh Steidl hit his fifth home run of the season, which leads the team.
- Justin Nadeau had his seventh multi-hit game of the season.
- The Dolphins pitching staff struck out nine Wildcat batters.
Up Next
Jacksonville returns home this weekend to start Atlantic Sun conference play, hosting Stetson for a weekend series.
