JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In the first game of the regular season finale for the Jacksonville Dolphins, JU fell to visiting FGCU, 3-2.
Thursday's game moved the playoff-bound Dolphins to 27-24 and 14-14 in ASUN play. The season series with the Eagles is now 2-2 before the final two games of the regular season, starting Friday night at 7 p.m. inside John Sessions Stadium.
Jacksonville got a huge start from pitcher
Alex Walsh, who went four innings with just one hit allowed and six strikeouts. It was Walsh's seventh appearance this year where he logged at least six Ks, his fifth time in ASUN play.
The 'Phins saw five arms follow Walsh in
Kyle Hopper,
Ayden Phillips,
Grant Brooks,
Austin Williamson and
Dominic Pieto.
At the plate, the Dolphins collected five hits while facing the ASUN's top arm in FGCU's Evan Dempsey. Of note, Connor Spelman collected a single in the ninth to left field to extend his hitting streak to 11 straight games.
Cade Walter also was plunked at the plate, his 24
th of the season. Walter is third in the ASUN in the statistical category. The centerfielder was also the responsible party for scoring both runs at the plate for the home team.
Abdriel Delgado was the lone Dolphin with an RBI on the night, collecting his run batted in during the fifth inning, scoring Walter during a wild pitch.
Jacksonville now turns to
Brendan Holland for Friday night's contest in what comes down to the series clincher potentially for the Eagles. Holland owns JU's best ERA at a 3.86 number with a 4-4 record on the year.
First pitch is set for 7 p.m. Friday, May 15 and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
