CARROLLTON, Ga. — Jacksonville Baseball erupted for five runs in the 10th inning Sunday afternoon to defeat West Georgia, 10-5, in the series finale at Cole Field.
After the Wolves erased a two-run deficit in the seventh inning, the Dolphins responded with a late rally and pulled away in extra innings behind a 12-hit offensive performance.
Roger Vergara led Jacksonville at the plate, finishing 4-for-5 with two RBIs and a stolen base. The four-single performance gives him 11 multi-hit games through 20 games, the most on the team. His .425 average is second among ASUN hitters.
Cade Walter crossed the plate three times, while Archer Ogbourne added three runs scored and the go-ahead double in the tenth. Logan Baratta drove in a game-high three RBIs.
The pitching staff came through in several tough spots throughout the day. Brendan Holland started the day on the mound and finished with only two earned runs and six strikeouts, one shy of his season high. Austin Williamson weathered the storm for Jacksonville, entering in the fifth and getting JU to the seventh.
Ayden Phillips carried the Dolphins to extra innings, striking out four of the seven batters he faced. In the eighth, he struck out the side - something he's done in his last three appearances. The freshman was also awarded the victory on the mound, joining Alex Walsh as the only other Dolphin arm with multiple wins. Phillips' 1.69 era is the lowest on the team (minimum 10 innings), and the second lowest in the conference.
Dom Pieto closed the door in the tenth, striking out two of the three batters he faced. He has 18 strikeouts through only 11 innings pitched. The 6th year continues to provide key innings out of the Dolphins' bullpen this season.
Game
Jacksonville jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first.
Archer Ogbourne drew a walk before Roger Vergara singled and advanced to second on the throw. After Derek Bermudez worked another walk to load the bases, Logan Baratta reached on a fielder's choice that brought home Ogbourne. Baratta later stole second during a rundown, allowing Vergara to score and give the Dolphins a 2-0 advantage.
West Georgia answered in the bottom half of the inning. Gabe Wuerth singled before David Bell doubled to left to bring him home. Patrick McCullough later singled through the right side to score Bell and even the game at two.
Sammy Mummau was a few inches away from a 4-2 Dolphin lead in the sixth, but had his potential two-run shot robbed by the UWG left fielder.
In the seventh, Cade Walter doubled off the center-field fence and advanced to third on a passed ball. Roger Vergara followed with an RBI single up the middle, and Sam Grunberg later lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to plate Archer Ogbourne and extend the lead to 4-2.
The Wolves rallied in the bottom of the seventh. Consecutive singles loaded the bases before Gabe Wuerth drew a walk to force in a run. David Bell followed with another bases-loaded walk, and Patrick McCullough delivered a sacrifice fly to give West Georgia its first lead of the afternoon at 5-4.
Jacksonville did not go away. Cade Walter singled before Archer Ogbourne was hit by a pitch, setting up another RBI single from Vergara that tied the game at five.
The Dolphins broke the game open in the 10th inning. Sammy Mummau led off with a walk and moved to second before Walter drew another free pass. Ogbourne then doubled to drive in the go-ahead run. Griffin Pomper followed with an RBI single to right field before Baratta delivered a two-run single to center that pushed the lead to four. Pomper later scored on a wild pitch to cap the five-run inning.
Ayden Phillips earned the win in relief after striking out four across 2.2 scoreless innings.
Jacksonville totaled 10 runs on 12 hits while drawing 10 walks in the victory.
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