GAME 1 | West Virginia 10, Jacksonville 3
JACKSONVILLE, FL --Senior Josh Steidl went 1-for-2 with a home run and an RBI for the Jacksonville Dolphins in a 10-3 loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday.
Senior Blake Barquin took the mound as Jacksonville's (0-2) starter, showing flashes of strong pitching but ultimately taking the loss. He worked through four innings, striking out four while allowing six runs on eight hits. Freshman Caleb Freeman was a bright spot for the Dolphins, coming out of the bullpen and throwing one shutout inning, allowing no hits, with no walks and two strikeouts. Blake Delamielleure added an RBI as well.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dolphins were trailing 6-0 in the fourth inning when they first got on the board. Jacksonville scored twice in the inning, including one on a solo shot from Steidl.
The Dolphins kept the Mountaineers off the board before narrowing the gap further in the fifth. Jacksonville tightened the lead with an RBI single off the bat of Delamielleure, which cut the Mountaineers lead to 6-3. The Dolphins were unable to get any closer, as West Virginia added four runs to their tally on the way to a 10-3 final.
GAME NOTES
» Jacksonville pitchers faced 43 West Virginia hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out seven.
» West Virginia was led offensively by junior Skylar King, who went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBI.
» Junior Carson Estridge led the Mountaineers pitching staff, throwing 4.2 scoreless innings.
GAME 2 | West Virginia 3, Jacksonville 2
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --Despite out-hitting West Virginia, Jacksonville was unable to push across more runs, as the Dolphins lost to the Mountaineers 3-2 Saturday.
Junior Collin Rothermel got the start for Jacksonville (0-1) and turned in a strong effort despite taking the loss. Over four innings, he allowed just one hit while striking out six and walking two. Though West Virginia pushed across three runs, Rothermel kept the Dolphins in the game, showing solid command and the ability to generate swings and misses.The right-hander went four innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on one hit, allowing two walks and striking out six. Junior Nick Anello was also a bright spot for the Dolphins, coming out of the bullpen and throwing three shutout innings, allowing one hit, with one walk and three strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dolphins put runs on the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning. Senior Aidan Masters put Jacksonville on the board with a leadoff home run off junior Gavin Van Kempen.
The Mountaineers responded with a three-run rally to take a 3-1 lead before the Dolphins struck back in the fifth. Senior Blake Delamielleure delivered an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 3-2 and keeping Jacksonville within reach.The 'Phins were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» The Dolphins out-hit the Mountaineers at a 5-2 clip.
» Jacksonville pitchers faced 26 West Virginia hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and four fly balls while striking out nine.
» The Dolphins drew four walks from West Virginia pitching.
» West Virginia was led offensively by junior Skylar King, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
» Senior Reese Bassinger led the Mountaineers pitching staff, throwing 2.2 scoreless innings.
UP NEXT
The Dolphins return to the field tomorrow afternoon to close out Opening Weekend with Game 4 against West Virginia. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM. Stay connected with Jacksonville Baseball on all media channels for updates.
