JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –-- Jacksonville University Baseball erupted for 15 runs on 15 hits Sunday afternoon to complete a series sweep of the Rhode Island Rams.
Derek Bermudez delivered the signature moment of the day, launching a grand slam as part of a two-homer, seven-RBI performance that put an exclamation point on a memorable opening weekend for the Dolphins.
It wasn't an immediate explosion like the first few games, but JU didn't wait long to find its rhythm.
The scoring began with a high chopper from
Roger Vergara down the first base line that went right over the head of the Ram's first baseman. The single brought
Cade Walter around to score, his first of three times crossing the plate in game four.
Bermudez followed with another RBI base hit, and
Logan Baratta cleared the bases with a two-run double to make it 4-0 before Rhode Island could settle in.
The decision to slide Bermudez and Baratta up in the lineup paid off immediately, giving the Dolphins an even more dangerous top half of the order.
The Rams from Rhode Island got one back with a solo homer in the fourth, Holland's only hit allowed, but JU answered right away. Bermudez crushed his first home run of the afternoon, a two-run shot to left that brought the Sessions' crowd to its feet and pushed the Dolphins' lead to 7-1.
From there, the Dolphins continued to pile it on.
Sammy Mummau drove in another run with an RBI double in the fifth, and
Jonah Shields stayed red-hot with a two-run single that stretched the advantage into double digits.
Then came the biggest swing of the day.
With the bases juiced in the fifth, Bermudez stepped up and absolutely unloaded, sending a grand slam into the Jacksonville sky for his second homer of the game. The blast was the cherry on top of a huge weekend at the plate for the junior, and it officially blew the game wide open at 14-1.
All around, it was another complete offensive effort for Jacksonville.
Shields finished with three hits and two RBIs, while Baratta added a pair of hits and drove in two. Mummau scored twice, and Vergara continued his incredible start to the season at the top of the order.
On the bump, the Dolphins got a steady group effort as well.
Brendan Holland earned the start and worked four innings, allowing just one run. JU's bullpen followed with three scoreless frames, as
JJ Gardner picked up the win and
Kyle Hopper and
Grant Brooks helped close the door.
Through four games,
Chris Hayes' squad seems to be firing on all cylinders. On top of 46 runs in four games, the pitching and defense for JU has done a fantastic job.
Jacksonville will look to carry the momentum into next week as the Dolphins continue their early-season homestand at John Sessions Stadium.
On Tuesday, the Dolphins will face off against the 16th ranked Florida State Seminoles. That game is scheduled to kick off at 6:00 pm, and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
