JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Behind two offensive outbursts in the third inning of each game, Jacksonville earned two wins over Queens on Saturday, 9-4 and 5-2.
In Game One, the Dolphins rattled off six runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead that they never relinquished. In Game Two, Jacksonville scored all five of its runs in the third to take the lead and the series.
Jacksonville (15-14, 2-3) has now won four its last five games over Queens and earned its first two conference wins of the season.
Bats Explode In Series Opener
After Kiersten Stevens hit a 2-RBI single to left to start the scoring against the Royals in the first inning, the game turned even more in JU's favor in the third.
Alayna Gaddy got the party started with a two-run homer over the left field fence for her third homer of the year.
Madison Bratek followed with an RBI single, then a Haley Fox single saw Tatum McCool come home on an errant throw.
Alison Carter capped things off with a 2-RBI double to put Jacksonville up 6-0 with more than enough runs to win the game. Fox hit an RBI single in the fourth for good measure to push the Dolphins to their final score.
Queens tacked on four runs in the later innings of the contest, but the damage was already done. On the mound, Reese Wells (2-2) kept the Royals at bay after pitching five innings and striking out five.
Ashlee Harwood cleaned up the game with two innings pitched. Harwood struck out a pair.
Jacksonville bats accounted for 12 total hits in the game, outpacing Queens' six. Bratek led the way with a 3-4 showing. McCool went 2-4.
Fox, Carter, Stevens and Gaddy all accounted for two RBIs each.
Jacksonville's nine runs scored were its most in 15 games and its most in conference play. The team's 12 hits set a new season-high.
Third Inning Pushes Jacksonville Ahead Again
Akin to the first game, the third inning was all Jacksonville needed to earn its second win of the day.
Down 2-0, an error pushed Jacksonville's first run of the day through. A wild pitch got the game tied before Stevens cranked a single that scored a runner.
As is customary for Gaddy in big moments, the freshman cranked a 2-RBI double to give Jacksonville its 5-2 lead.
Both teams tied in the hitting category with nine apiece, but Fox stole the show with a 3-3 outing. Gaddy, who went 1-3, led the team with her pair of RBIs.
In the circle, Jordan White put up another strong showing after her four solid innings of work against Florida. White (3-0) tossed three on Saturday, giving up five hits and striking out a duo.
Skylar Waggoner pitched the game's final four frames and allowed four hits and fanned three.
The combined 21 hits against Queens are Jacksonville's best two-game stretch of the season. The team's 13 total RBIs are its second-best back-to-back performance of the year.
The team now has two players over 30 hits for the year, with Fox as the clubhouse leader at 31. Bratek is just behind with 30.
Gabby Baylog (26) and Carter (22) are responsible for the team's third and fourth most hits respectively.
GAME NOTES
- Jacksonville went 7-for-20 (.350) with runners in scoring position in Game 1.
- Jacksonville pitchers faced 34 Queens (NC) hitters in Game 1, allowing five ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out seven.
- The Dolphins drew eight walks from Queens (NC) pitching in Game 1.
- Gaddy led the Dolphins at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Game 1.
- Fox stole two bases in the second game.
- Jacksonville went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position in Game 2.
- Jacksonville pitchers faced 31 Queens (NC) hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five in Game 2.
- Gaddy led the Dolphins at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the second contest.
NEXT UP
Jacksonville looks to finish the series off Sunday, March 23 at 1 p.m. against the Royals. The Dolphins remain at home for their next ASUN series, against UNF, starting Thursday March 27.
RELIVE THE MOMENTS
