OXFORD, Ala. – The Jacksonville Dolphins prevailed over North Alabama in the opening round of the ASUN Softball Championship, 6-1, earning the team's first conference tournament victory since 2021 and first opening round win since 2018.
With the win, #9 JU is set to face #5 Austin Peay at 6:30 EST on Tuesday, May 6. The first two rounds of ASUN Championship play are single elimination. APSU received a first-round bye.
If the Dolphins are victorious over Austin Peay, they will move on to face #4 Stetson in the third round at 6:30 EST on Wednesday, May 7. A win over APSU also secures JU at least one more game, as they would qualify for the loser's bracket if they are defeated by Stetson.
All tournament games will be broadcast on ESPN+. JU's game against Austin Peay can be watched
HERE.
Information regarding the ASUN Softball Championship can be found
HERE.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jacksonville defeated the #9 seeded Lions behind a pair of runs in the second and the third innings and one run in both the fifth and sixth innings.
Freshman
Kiersten Stevens started things off hot for the Dolphins with a two-run double to left center. In the third, fellow frosh
Alayna Gaddy hit a triple to right that scored one. Right behind Gaddy's blast was a single by
Alison Carter to score Gaddy.
Stevens later reached first via a throwing error that saw Gaddy trot home from third in the fifth frame. Carter drew a bases loaded walk in the sixth to end the scoring for JU.
For Stevens, she finished tied for a team-high two RBIs on 1-3 at the plate. Her double was her sixth of the season (third on the team) and good for her second in four games. She also flashed some leather with a diving catch in the second inning.
Gaddy finished her first foray into ASUN tournament play with a 2-3 showing and one RBI. Carter, batting behind Gaddy in the seventh spot, went a perfect 3-3 with two RBIs.
As a squad, JU tallied eight hits and drew seven walks.
From the circle, sophomore ace
Skylar Waggoner dealt for five innings, striking out six while allowing just one hit and no runs. Waggoner now has five games this season with five or more Ks and 11 games with three or fewer hits.
Jacy Harrelson took over for the final two frames, allowing a run on three hits.
