JACKSONVILLE, Fl. -- The Jacksonville Dolphins played their first games on JU campus Friday, going a perfect 2-0 to start the JU/UNF Invitational.
Jacksonville pitched shutouts against Middle Tennessee (8-0) and Cleveland State (3-0) to move the team's season record to 4-4.
The wins represent three total shutouts put up by the Dolphins thus far in the young season, two of which being run-rule victories.
Dolphins Run Rule MTSU
Opening the year at home, and the first game of the JU/UNF Invitational, the Dolphins picked up a major 8-0 win.
The five-inning game saw its first score in the second inning when freshman Kiersten Stevens cranked a double to left center that scored both Reese Wells and Haley Fox.
Stevens finished the day 1-2 with her two RBIs and a walk.
Fox got things cranked up in the third with an RBI single. The Stetson transfer has come on strong for JU early in the year, leading the team with a 3-3 day at the plate with one RBI.
Not to be outdone, Tatum McCool stepped up to the plate right after Fox and made some personal history.
McCool hit her first career home run, a three-run shot, to put JU up 6-0. McCool concluded her day as the DH with her homer as her lone hit in two at bats. Her three RBIs led the squad.
Capping things off in the fifth, Madison Bratek drew a bases loaded walk to score Lindsey Chadwick. Gabby Baylog polished off the mercy rule win with an RBI double, scoring Fox. Baylog finished her day 2-3 with one RBI.
On the mound, Reese Wells earned her first win of the 2025 season. Wells (1-0) went the distance, allowing just two hits and fanning six. She walked one batter after facing 19 Blue Raiders.
As a team, JU finished with seven hits. The hit total was tied for Jacksonville's second highest output so far this season.
The win was JU's second five-inning win of the season and snapped a four-game losing streak.
Jacksonville Continues Shutout Streak With Win Over Vikings
Right on the heels of the team's first shutout of the day, pitcher Jordan White decided it was her turn to earn a victory.
White led Jacksonville to a 3-0 win over Cleveland State and earned her first win of the year in the process. White (1-0) went the full seven innings and allowed just three hits. She struck out a pair after facing 27 batters.
On the bump, White didn't allow her first hit until the third inning with JU already up a run. Fox drew a walk in the first with the bases loaded that scored Bratek and gave JU all the run support it needed to earn the win.
In the third, McCool hit a grounder that scored Averi Harcus and in the sixth, Jacy Harrelson hit a grounder that scored Fox.
Jacksonville collected six hits in the contest, led by a pair of hits each from Bratek (2-4) and Harcus (2-3). Gabby Baylog also added a hit of her own meaning Jacksonville's first three batters accounted for five of the team's six hits.
Despite ending the contest 0-1 at the plate, Fox drew two walks and had one of the team's three RBIs. Through eight games, Fox leads the team with 10 hits in 19 at bats. Bratek is second on the team with eight hits in 23 at bats.
Getting most of her season action Friday, McCool now leads the team in RBIs with four. She is 2-7 in total at bats.
COACH'S COMMENTS
On the pair of games: "We really played solid all around," head coach Erica Ayers said. "Two quality pitching outings from Reese and Jordan, had quality at bats all day for the most part. The difference in Game 1 was we drove in a lot of runs with two outs and we just couldn't get the knock with runners on in Game 2. Played solid defense all day too."
On Haley Fox: "Fox has been consistent all year and she had another quality day at the plate," Ayers said. "She's seeing the ball really well and not trying to do too much."
On Tatum McCool: "Tatum has worked so hard to come back from knee injury... (She) maybe has the highest drive of anyone I have ever coached," Ayers said. "So happy to see her having some success."
On playing at home: "Great to be home, glad the Belchers could be here for it," Ayers said. "The new scoreboard is a game changer. Great atmosphere."
GAME NOTES
- Jacksonville pitchers limited Middle Tennessee to just 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.
- Jacksonville pitchers faced 19 Middle Tennessee hitters in the game, allowing four ground balls and five fly balls while striking out six.
- The Dolphins drew eight walks from Middle Tennessee pitching.
- Jacksonville pitchers faced 27 Cleveland State hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and 10 fly balls while striking out two.
NEXT UP
The JU/UNF Invitational continues for Jacksonville with its final two games on Saturday. The Dolphins square off with UConn at 11:30 a.m. and then rematch with Cleveland State at 2:00 p.m.
RELIVE THE MOMENTS
