CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- Jacksonville Baseball (16-18, 10-5 ASUN) left Clarksville with a win on Sunday afternoon conquering Austin Peay (21-14, 9-6 ASUN) 18-11.
The Dolphins exploded in the fifth and sixth inning, putting up a nine spot in the fifth and five additional runs in the sixth to give them the lead, one they held through the end of game.
Evan Chrest started on the mound for the 'Phins, his ninth start of the season. He finished with six strikeouts on the day.
Through the first four innings the Govs were in control of the game with a two run lead from a RBI double in the second and a solo homer in the third. The Dolphins bats were held in check with only two hits so far, but coming into the top of the fifth, Jacksonville was looking to respond and get the bats going. Nick DeLisi got the Dolphins on the board with a base hit that scored Peyton Prescott. Later in the inning Will Gale came up to the plate with the bases loaded and tied it up at two after drawing a walk on a 3-1 count. The next at-bat, during Clayton Hodges appearance at the plate, a passed ball snuck through the Govs catcher and DeLisi came into score to take the lead for Jacksonville. Hodges eventually drew a walk on a 3-2 count to load the bases again for the 'Phins.
The Govs made a pitching change after the Hodges walked, but the next two Dolphin batters Tyrell Brewer and Josh Steidl also drew walks with the bases loaded extending the Jacksonville lead to three, 5-2. Chandler Howard came in to pinch hit for Prescott and delivered, hitting a two-RBI base knock that plated Brewer and Hodges, adding two more to the scoreboard making it now 7-2 'Phins. Jacksonville added two more in the inning when Josh Steidl came in to score on a wild pitch and Cade Hentz grounded out but scored Jaden Bastain. The Dolphins offense finished the fifth with nine runs scored in the frame, a season-high for runs in a inning.
After holding the Govs offense scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, Jacksonville came back up to the plate hungry and ready to keep the momentum going. Tyler Hinrikus kept things going with a single through the left side that scored Hodges to make it 10-2 Dolphins. The following 'Phin batter, Howard came up to the plate again and added another two-RBI single that scored Steidl and Brewer. Jacksonville wasn't done in the inning yet, as Hinrikus and Howard both came in to score on passed balls to make it 14-2 'Phins after the top of the sixth.
The Govs weren't ready to give up yet though as they hit a pair of base knocks to start the home half of the sixth. After Chrest gave up a run, his day was over.
Austin Peay finished the sixth dealing some damage, scoring seven runs, cutting the Jacksonville lead to five.
Jacksonville put up a zero spot in the top of the seventh but Tommy Allman held things down for the 'Phins on the mound, punching out two Govs batters to maintain the five run lead.
Will Gale added another insurance run with a sacrifice fly that plated Bastian, making it 15-9 heading into the home half of the eighth.
The Governors added a run in the home half off a wild pitch, but couldn't score any additional runs in the inning.
The Dolphins took advantage of having one more opportunity at the plate in the ninth when Howard stayed hot and rocked a no-doubt two-RBI homer to put the visitors up 17-10. After a mound visit, Bastian came up to bat and went yard as well, this one a solo shot down the right field line, adding one more run to the 'Phins lead.
Issac Williams came into the game in the ninth to wrap up the game for Jacksonville. The Fleming Island native ran into a bit of traffic, giving up a RBI double in the Govs last stand, but handled business with a 9-6 double play and a groundout to finish the game. The final tally results in the Dolphins favor, 18-11.
"Really proud of how our guys responded this afternoon after a really competitive first couple games." Head Coach Chris Hayes remarked postgame.
"We encouraged the boys to stay true to their game and I thought we had a lot more quality at-bats today, it was nice to bounce back with a win."
Three Strikes:
- Chandler Howard had a career and season high six RBIs.
- The Jacksonville pitching staff combined for 10 strikeouts on the day.
- The 'Phins once again stayed patient at the plate, drawing in a season high 17 walks.
Up Next:
Jacksonville will return to action on Tuesday when the Dolphins take on the Gators for the second time of the 2024 season. The last time Jacksonville traveled to the Swamp the 'Phins left victorious 7-6. The game will be available to watch on SECN +, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM.
