JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – For the first time since May of 2023, the Jacksonville Dolphins defeated North Florida on the road.

The Dolphins defeated their crosstown foes 7-6 in eight innings, winning for the first time over UNF regardless of venue for the first time since 2024. Thursday's victory moved Jacksonville to 17-13 and 2-2 in conference overall. The win is the second in a row in conference for the 'Phins. 

Rivalry play started hot for the Dolphins on the road with freshman Jaida Thomas knocking in a runner with an RBI single in the third. Then, it was the big bat yet again of Sarah Beth Brake who cranked a moonshot over the UNF centerfield fence to score a trio of Dolphins.

After three innings, JU led 4-0.

UNF struck back in the fourth behind two runs scored via walks and a fielder's choice to cut the game to 4-3. It was then Alison Carter's turn to boost the lead for JU with an RBI single in the fifth. UNF had an answer however, tying the game at 5-5 going into the final stretch of the game.

Things were held scoreless in relegation, pushing the game to an extra frame in the brisk north Florida cold. 

The weather didn't seem to bother Thomas however as the frosh had an answer with a 2-RBI single to break things open in the top of the eighth. Heading into the potential do-or-die bottom of the eighth, it was time for Reese Wells to grab three outs on the mound.

Up 7-5, UNF managed to grab a run, but Wells handled things and got her third out via a flyout to none other than Thomas in centerfield to send the Dolphins home victorious in the first of three consecutive games at UNF.

It was a banner night at the plate for Thomas, who went 2-4 tying the team-high at three RBIs. Brake went 2-4 herself with three RBIs. The duo accounted for four of the team's nine total hits and six of the team's seven RBIs.

Brake's other hit on the night was a double, her seventh of the year. Lindsey Chadwick hit a double herself for her lone hit of the evening. Brake's homer also accounted for her team-high ninth of the year. Brake is tied for second overall in the ASUN with homers in conference play with three. 

In terms of setting records with stats, Kate Linkletter got plunked at the plate once more for her 16^th HBP of the season. She continues to lead the NCAA in the category, already racking up four hit by pitches in four conference games. 

While the bats were big, it was a banner day for the pitchers as well, starting with starter Jacy Harrelson. 

Harrelson went 4 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits with two strikeouts. Her most impressive number was throwing a career-high 147 total pitches. Earning the win was Wells (3-2), who came on for the 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and one run while fanning two. Wells has now fanned five batters in her last two outings. 

Despite the pitching duo walking 13 batters, those batters did minimal damage, as the JU defense held 15 UNF runners stranded over the course of the game. 

By game's end, Jacksonville's eight runs were its most scored since its May 2023 win at home over the Ospreys. 

After Thursday's game, both Brake (.389) and Thomas (.356) continue to lead the clubhouse in batting average. Thomas leads the team in hits with 32, followed by Brake's 28. Brake's 28 RBIs lead the squad with Thomas' 18 in second. The pair have combined to score 37% of Jacksonville's 133 RBIs on the season.

The Dolphins can't rest on their laurels just yet, as two more games against the Ospreys are to follow. Jacksonville squares off again against UNF on Friday, March 20 on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. Jacksonville is now one step closer to its first potential sweep of the Ospreys since 2018.

COACH'S COMMENTS
"So much heart, so much fight," head coach Erica Ayers said. "I'm glad they reaped the reward tonight. Jaida (Thomas) has been consistent all year and is a big time player."