JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Junior Alex Walsh, senior Chris Lotito, and junior Nick Anello teamed up for a dominant shutout on Friday, Jacksonville Baseball to a 3-0 victory over the FGCU Eagles.

Walsh (4-2) started on the mound for Jacksonville (21-16, 11-6), throwing seven shutout innings. He allowed just two hits, walked one, and struck out two. Lotito (2-0) followed in relief, picking up the win after throwing a scoreless eighth inning, giving up no hits, walking one, and striking out one. Anello closed out the game in the ninth, earning his eighth save of the season, which ties him for second in the ASUN conference. His composed final frame preserved the shutout and cemented the Dolphins' victory.

Offensively, Jacksonville was led by senior Aidan Masters, who went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI. Sophomore Jonah Shields also had a standout performance, going 2-for-4, while sophomore Conner Spelman chipped in with two hits in four at-bats.

The Dolphins broke the deadlock in the eighth inning, scoring all three of their runs. Masters opened the scoring with a sharp single to right, driving in Jaden Bastian for a 1-0 lead. Pinch hitter Carson Stevens followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Shields to double the advantage. Moments later, Masters and Blake DeLamielleure executed a double steal, and a throwing error by the catcher allowed DeLamielleure to score, capping the three-run inning.

Jacksonville's speed on the basepaths was also on full display. The Dolphins stole six bases in the game, with Bastian and Shields swiping two each. Masters and DeLamielleure each added one stolen base. Bastian, who leads the ASUN with 24 stolen bases, played a key role in the aggressive baserunning strategy. Shields, who ranks third in the conference with 19 steals, and DeLamielleure, fifth with 15, also contributed to Jacksonville's successful efforts on the bases.

GAME NOTES:

• Jacksonville's highest-scoring inning was the eighth, when it plated all three of its runs.
• The Dolphins out-hit the Eagles 6-4.
• Jacksonville pitchers limited FGCU to just 1-for-5 (.200) with runners in scoring position.
• JU pitchers faced 33 FGCU hitters, allowing eight ground balls, 14 fly balls, and striking out four.

POSTGAME WITH COACH HAYES

UP NEXT
The Dolphins will look to complete the series sweep tomorrow, returning to the diamond at 1:00 PM. Fans can follow the action with live stats and watch the game on ESPN+ through the JU Baseball website.