JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Baseball completed its four-game sweep of Long Island on Sunday, finishing a suspended contest before claiming an 11-3 victory in the series finale to improve to 8-1 on the season. The sweep marks the program's best start through nine games since 2008, when JU began its season at 12-1.
The Dolphins first resumed Saturday's halted game at noon Sunday, rallying for a 5-4 win before carrying that momentum into another dominant performance later in the afternoon at John Sessions Stadium.
Game Three: Dolphins Rally After Play Resumes, 5-4
After lighting issues stopped play Saturday with JU trailing 5-4 in the sixth inning, the Dolphins resumed action Sunday and immediately seized control.
Derek Bermudez and
Logan Baratta opened the sixth inning with back-to-back hits before a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases.
Sammy Mummau delivered the decisive swing, lining a two-run double to give Jacksonville a 5-4 advantage.
A pair of freshmen played pivotal roles in securing the one-run victory for JU. Ayden Phillips, who took the mound when play resumed, earned his first win of the season after shutting down the Sharks over the final frames and preserving the 5-4 lead. Fellow freshman Kyle Hopper was called upon with the tying run standing on second base and delivered in the clutch, striking out LIU's Nick Matson to record the Dolphins' first save of the year.
Game Four: Another Trio of Homeruns Complete the Sweep
Jacksonville wasted little time building separation in the finale.
After three scoreless innings, the Dolphins erupted for six runs in the fourth.
Nick DeLisi launched a three-run home run to left for his first of the season, and
Cade Walter followed with a towering three-run blast to right center that cleared the Terry Alexander sign, stretching the lead to 6-0.
Sam Grunberg added his first home run of the year in the fifth — a two-run shot after a
Logan Baratta double — and the Dolphins tacked on three more runs in the sixth to push the margin to 11-1.
Multiple hit-and-run plays were executed throughout the afternoon, including a key sixth-inning sequence highlighted by Mummau's single to right field that helped extend the inning and apply further pressure.
Brendan Holland earned his first win of the season in the start, turning in a steady outing before the bullpen closed out the 11-3 victory. He recorded seven strikeouts while only giving up one earned run. The tall lefty's ability thus far to fill up the zone puts him in the perfect spot as Jacksonville's Sunday starter.
Walter finished with three hits and three RBIs to pace the offense.
Trends & Notes
- Jacksonville improves to 8-1, its best start since 2008.
- The Dolphins recorded their second sweep of the year
- Logan Baratta extended his hitting streak to eight games and has recorded a hit in eight of nine contests this season.
- Jonah Shields extended his hitting streak to six games and has also hit safely in eight of nine.
- Sammy Mummau extended his hitting streak to six games.
- DeLisi and Grunberg each hit their first home runs of the season.
- Ayden Phillips and Brendan Holland each secured their first wins of the year.
Next Up
Jacksonville Baseball will take on the Knights of Central Florida, with first pitch scheduled for Tuesday at 6:00 pm. The Dolphins look to add another one to their ledger after beating UCF in last year's matchup, 3-2. The game will be streamed on
ESPN+ and will also be available to follow along through
live stats.
