DeLAND, Fla.- Jacksonville Baseball earned a victory on Tuesday evening against Eastern Kentucky, winning 6-2 in the first matchup of the ASUN Championship for the Dolphins.
The ASUN conference leader in wins, Richard Long came out and delivered another solid performance again for Jacksonville going 6.0 innings deep, giving up two runs (only one earned) off four hits. With Long's solid outing and Four RBIs from Chandler Howard, these efforts proved enough to get their JU a huge first win in DeLand.
Jacksonville will have Wednesday off, and next play the winner of Wednesday's Lipscomb vs. Central Arkansas game on Thursday with a first pitch scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
The Colonels struck early with a RBI single but Long escaped the first without any further damage. After a quiet second inning by both teams, the Dolphins offense came alive with a three-run inning. With the bases loaded for Chandler Howard, he took advantage of the opportunity and smacked a line drive to deep right center, scoring Jaden Bastian and Will Gale with a double to give the 'Phins the lead, 2-1. JU wasn't done in the inning though as Clayton Hodges came up to bat next and added another run with a sacrifice fly that scored Tyrell Brewer to make it 3-1 through three frames.
EKU cut their deficit to one in the next half inning after a fielder's choice drove in a run for the Colonels to make it 3-2.
Long continued to be steady in his start, adding another 1-2-3 inning in the fifth inning, setting up the top of the Dolphins order due up with Gale, Bastian, and Brewer up to bat. Gale and Bastian both got on base setting up Brewer to lay a perfect bunt down the third base line, picking up a base hit, and loading the bases once again for Howard. The Lake City native delivered once again, driving a base knock to right center, picking up two more RBIs to make it 5-2 JU.
Tyrell Brewer wasn't ready to leave the inning without a run, as he perfectly timed up the pitcher's wind-up and darted for home, sliding in for the 'Phin's sixth run of the game.
After Long held strong with another scoreless inning in the sixth, Tommy Allman came out of the bullpen in the seventh to relieve the Junior. Allman held the Colonels to one hit through the seventh and eighth innings. Isaac Williams came into to close the door in the ninth and was successful; the Redshirt-Freshman held EKU scoreless and added a strikeout to secure the victory for Jacksonville. "Richard Long once again gave us a solid start and when we passed it off to Tommy Allman and Isaac Williams, we felt confident in our guys to finish the game for us." Head Coach Chris Hayes mentioned post-game.
Richard Long was credited with the win, moving his season record to 8-2. Long's eight wins lead the ASUN conference.
Head Coach Chris Hayes further added: "Really proud of how our guys came out ready to compete, they fought hard for 27 outs.
"Chandler Howard came up big in two spots for us when we needed him and you need those types of at-bats to succeed in this deep competitive conference tournament".
Three Strikes
- Chandler Howard added his second four-RBI game of the season (First was 3/30 vs. Central Arkansas)
- Tyrell Brewer's amazing steal home was his 17th of the season.
- The ASUN stolen-base king Will Gale added two more stolen bases, his 24th and 25th successful base swipe.
Up Next
Jacksonville will have Wednesday off and play again on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against the winner of the Lipscomb vs. Central Arkansas. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
