JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville dropped game two of its weekend series against UNC Wilmington on Saturday afternoon, 9-4 at John Sessions Stadium.
The Seahawks struck quickly with two solo home runs in the opening inning to take an early lead. Jacksonville answered in the second when
Sam Grunberg launched a two-run home run to left field, scoring
Roger Vergara to even the game at two.
The Dolphins briefly grabbed the lead in the third, when Logan Baratta ripped a double into the left-center gap and later came home on an RBI single from Vergara to put JU ahead 3-2. Baratta's fouth double is good for the second most on the team, behind Conner Spelman.
UNCW regained control in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a series of miscues and timely hits to plate five runs and take a 7-3 advantage. The Seahawks added two more insurance runs in the ninth before Jacksonville scratched across a final run in the bottom half on a Roger Vergara sacrifice fly.
Vergara paced the Dolphins offensively with three hits, marking his eighth multi-hit game of the season. Freshman Cade Walter extended his hitting streak to nine games with a seventh-inning single.
Ayden Phillips also contributed at the plate, ripping a pinch-hit double after striking out the side in his appearance on the mound Friday night.
Defensively, Sammy Mummau turned heads with a spinning play in the hole that he finished with a strong throw to first for the 6-3 putout.
Griffin Pomper earned the start at catcher and caught his first runner stealing while in a JU uniform.
Payton Waters got the start for Jacksonville, working five innings while allowing five runs on six hits with three strikeouts. Dominic Pieto followed with an inning of relief, and Kyle Powers closed the final three innings out of the bullpen.
THREE STRIKES
-
Cade Walter extended his hitting streak to nine games.
-
Roger Vergara recorded his eighth multi-hit game of the season.
-
Ayden Phillips delivered a pinch-hit double after striking out the side on the mound Friday.
NEXT UP
Jacksonville and UNC Wilmington wrap up the three-game series Sunday afternoon at John Sessions Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.