DELAND, Fla. – Jacksonville Baseball kept its season alive in thrilling fashion, walking off North Alabama 3-2 Friday morning to stave off elimination. Freshman Sammy Mummau delivered the game-winning hit, a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the ninth, moments after the Lions had tied it in the top half.
Senior Chris Lotito (4-2) picked up the win out of the bullpen for Jacksonville, while junior Alex Walsh was outstanding in his start. The right-hander fired seven scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while walking two and striking out five, laying a strong foundation for the Dolphins' victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jacksonville broke the scoreless tie in the third inning when senior
Josh Steidl drove in sophomore
Jaden Bastian with an RBI single to give the Dolphins a 1-0 lead.
The advantage doubled in the seventh, as Bastian came through at the plate with an RBI single of his own, pushing the lead to 2-0.
North Alabama chipped away with a run in the eighth, then tied the game in the ninth on a sacrifice fly, setting the stage for a tense finish.
With two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the game on the line, Mummau came through in the clutch, driving a ball into the gap to score the winning run and keep Jacksonville's ASUN Championship hopes alive.
GAME NOTES
- Jacksonville edged North Alabama in hits, 6-5.
- The Dolphins were efficient with runners in scoring position, going 3-for-8 (.375).
- Jacksonville's pitching staff held the Lions to just 1-for-8 (.125) in similar situations.
- Dolphin pitchers faced 36 batters, inducing six groundouts and 14 flyouts while recording six strikeouts.
UP NEXT
Jacksonville will play the winner of Central Arkansas/FGCU at 12:00 PM tomorrow.
