JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville baseball dropped the opener of its three-game series with UNC Wilmington on Friday night, falling 8-3 at John Sessions Stadium.
The Seahawks broke through in the fifth inning and added four runs in the seventh to create separation. UNCW finished with 13 hits on the night.
Jacksonville answered in the seventh inning when
Conner Spelman doubled down the left field line and
Logan Baratta was hit by a pitch to put two aboard.
Sam Grunberg delivered the Dolphins' biggest swing of the night, driving a double into the gap to score both runners and cut the deficit to 6-2.
UNC Wilmington added two insurance runs in the ninth before Jacksonville pushed across one final run in the bottom half of the inning on a Grunberg sacrifice fly.
Alex Walsh took the loss despite striking out seven across 5.1 innings.
Logan Baratta led the Dolphins with two hits, while Grunberg drove in all three Jacksonville runs.
Freshman
Cade Walter extended his hitting streak to seven games with a single in the sixth inning.
Out of the bullpen,
Ayden Phillips struck out the side in a dominant eighth inning to keep the Dolphins within striking distance.
NEXT UP
Jacksonville and UNC Wilmington continue the three-game series Saturday at John Sessions Stadium. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m.
