JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Junior Chandler Howard hit a grand slam and collected four RBIs to help lead the Jacksonville Dolphins over the Georgia Southern Eagles, 13-11, on Wednesday evening.
Anthony Cordero (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Jacksonville (5-7). The right-hander went 1.2 shutout innings, giving up two hits, no walks and striking out one. Junior Nick Anello also pitched well, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit.
Sophomore Jaden Bastian put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and an RBI. Senior Josh Steidl also contributed for Jacksonville, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dolphins scored in seven different innings, starting with a solo home run from Bastian in the first inning, giving JU a 1-0 lead.
In the second inning,
Cade Hentz stepped up, hitting a single to drive in
Nick DeLisi and give the Dolphins a 2-0 lead. Hentz then advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on another wild pitch to increase the lead to 3-0.
In the third inning, Steidl added a solo home run, his team-leading fourth of the season.
In the fourth inning, Blake Edmonds came through with a clutch solo home run to center field, tying the game at 5-5. His blast gave the Dolphins new life and evened the score after Georgia Southern had rallied earlier.
The very next inning, Jacksonville took the lead at 6-5 when Hentz sprinted home on another wild pitch, putting the Dolphins back in the lead.
Howard stepped up and blasted a grand slam in the same inning. With the bases loaded, he launched a towering shot over the fence, clearing the bags and giving Jacksonville a 10-5 lead.
The following inning in the fifth, Clayton Hodges came in to pinch-hit and blasted a home run to left field, driving in an RBI and giving Jacksonville an 11-5 lead.
In the seventh inning,
Sammy Mummau blasted his second home run of the year, breaking the tie at 11-11 and giving Jacksonville the lead they would not relinquish.
In the eighth inning, Steidl came through with an RBI single, scoring
Jonah Shields and adding an insurance run. In the ninth, Anello came in to secure his third save and the win for the Dolphins.
GAME NOTES
- Every Jacksonville starter reached base safely in the win.
- Jacksonville's highest scoring inning was the fourth, when it pushed six runs across.
- Four Dolphins recorded multiple hits in the ballgame: Jaden Bastian, Josh Steidl, Cade Hentz, and Jonah Shields.
- Jacksonville hit six dingers in the ballgame.
- JU went 3-for-9 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
- Dolphin pitchers faced 50 Georgia Southern hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out seven.
POSTGAME WITH COACH HAYES
UP NEXT:
The Dolphins will host North Carolina A&T this weekend at John Sessions Stadium. The series kicks off on Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 6:00 PM. The game will also be available to stream on ESPN+.
