DELAND, Fla.- The Jacksonville softball team defeated the Stetson Hatters 3-2 in what was the Dolphins' (20-19, 10-5 ASUN) third consecutive conference series win.
 
Kailey Harrigan and Alison Carter both had multi-hit days for JU, and three players recorded an RBI: Carter, Kari Holzrichter, and Gabi Robles.
 
Reese Wells started in the circle for the Dolphins and surrendered two earned runs in 3.1 innings. She also gave up four walks and four hits. Shelby Harpe (7-6) pitched the final 3.2 innings and secured her seventh win of the season. The southpaw gave up three hits and struck out one in her three-plus innings of shutout pitching.
 
"Today was pure toughness," said head coach Erica Ayers after the game. "The pitching and defense got the job done under tremendous pressure that Stetson put on us. They have good arms, and a lot of speed, and it was not easy to handle."
 
Both sides scored runs in an action-packed first inning. For the Dolphins, Madison Bratek was hit by a pitch and eventually scored following a groundout and fielding error by the Hatters' second baseman. Two batters later, Alison Carter hit home Kari Holzrichter on an infield single to put JU up 2-0. Stetson used a single and eventually a fielder's choice later in the inning to score its first run of the game and narrow the gap to one run, 2-1, heading into the second.
 
A pair of scoreless innings were followed by a fourth inning that saw both sides score once. Kailey Harrigan hit a single through the left side to lead off the frame for the Dolphins, and Carter singled through the right side to advance the pinch-running Jazz Jones all the way to third. After a first-pitch line-out, Gabi Robles hit a soft tapper to shortstop that scored the speedy Jones from third and put JU up 3-1. No further damage was recorded for JU. Stetson led the bottom of the fourth off with a single to center field, and after a fly out, had two runners on due to a base on balls. After a JU pitching change saw Harpe relieve Wells, a single loaded the bases, and a wild pitch allowed all Hatter baserunners to advance 60 feet and bring the score to 3-2. Harpe navigated the remainder of the inning with runners on second and third but halted any chance of the Stetson bats tying the game.
 
The Dolphins threatened in the sixth inning but were unable to add any insurance runs, but they didn't need it as Harpe retired the final seven batters she faced to clinch the win and series for JU, who now sit in fourth place in the ASUN, one game back of UNF and FGCU for second.
 
UP NEXT
The Dolphins return to action next week as hosts of the River City Rumble against North Florida. All three games take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with Saturday's game streaming on ESPN+. First pitch of the series opener on Friday, April 19, is slated for 6 pm.