JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Sophomore Cade Hentz collected four hits to help power the Jacksonville Dolphins past the North Carolina A&T Aggies 13-2 on Friday evening.

Senior Richard Long (3-1) started on the mound and picked up the win for Jacksonville (6-7). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on two hits, allowing one walk and striking out five.

In addition to his four hits, Hentz had two doubles and four RBI to lead the Dolphins. Sophomore Jaden Bastian put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 2-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Sophomore Jonah Shields also contributed for Jacksonville, putting together three hits in five trips to the plate while adding three RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The 'Phins were trailing 2-0 in the second inning when their offense exploded for six runs. Sammy Mummau kicked off the rally with a double down the right field line, putting him on base.

Next, Hentz followed with a two-run double to left center, driving in Edmonds to tie the game at 2-2. Bastian then stepped up with a two-run double to right center, scoring Hentz and Nick Delisi for a 4-2 lead. Shields kept the momentum going with a single to center field, bringing in Bastian to extend the lead to 5-2. Finally, Howard capped off the inning with a base hit that drove in Blake DeLamielleure, making it a 6-2 game.

The Aggies failed to push any runs across before the Dolphins offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning. Jacksonville picked up two runs when a single from Shields brought home DeLisi and Hentz, which brought the Dolphins lead to 8-2.

Long kept the Aggies off the scoreboard, then the Dolphins extended their lead to 9-2 in the following inning, adding a run on an RBI single from Hentz.

Long went another inning without allowing a run, keeping the Aggies quiet. In the home half of the sixth, Jacksonville built on their lead, scoring four more runs to make it 13-2. The scoring began with Bastian's RBI single to left, bringing in Hentz and Delisi. Josh Steidl then singled to right, driving in Bastian and Hentz. The final run came when DeLamielleure reached on an error, allowing Bastian to score. In the top of the seventh, Long added a strikeout and shut down the Aggies to close out the game and seal the win for Jacksonville.

GAME NOTES

• Hentz compiled four hits on the day for Jacksonville—including two extra-base hits—and drove in four runs to lead the Dolphins' offensive power.
• Every Jacksonville starter reached base safely in the win.
• JU's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed six runs across.
• Long put together seven innings of two-run ball, pitching a complete game to secure the win for the Dolphins.
• Six Dolphins had multiple hits in the ballgame: Cade Hentz, Jonah Shields, Jaden Bastian, Josh Steidl, Sammy Mummau, and Nick DeLisi.
• JU had a total of 16 hits.
• Shields stole two bases in Friday's game.
• Jacksonville went 12-for-24 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
• Long limited the Aggies to just 1-for-6 (.167) with runners in scoring position.
• The Dolphins drew five walks from A&T pitching.
• Long faced 25 Aggie hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out five.

POSTGAME WITH COACH HAYES

UP NEXT

The Dolphins return to John Sessions Stadium tomorrow for a Saturday doubleheader against the Aggies. Game 1 begins at 1:00 PM, with Game 2 starting 45 minutes after the first game concludes. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+.