JACKSONVILLE, Ala.- The Jacksonville Dolphins battled all night against Jacksonville State, but the Gamecocks bats stayed hot throughout the game to take the second part of the series 13-8 on Saturday night.“I think we did a good job of competing and trying to go blow for blow with them early,” said head coach Chris Hayes. “Ultimately we just couldn’t stop them, they was very locked in offensively tonight and we didn’t do enough in critical spots offensively. I think we had opportunities to continue to stay with them and I think we just put a little too much pressure on ourselves.”After both sides traded a run apiece in the top of the first, the Gamecocks took the lead for good in the bottom of the second. Entering the bottom of the inning, Jacksonville (23-13, 8-6 ASUN) held a narrow one run lead. With two outs and runners on the corners in the home half of the inning, Javon Hernandez singled home Caleb Johnson. A Gamecocks triple and four pitch walk to T.J Reeves was followed by a three-run shot to left to give Jacksonville State a five-run lead.Hogan McIntsoh got the Dolphins to within three in the third with a two-out two-run blast after Kris Armstrong reached on a fielder’s choice. Jacksonville State again answered with two in its half of the third off a homerun to left center.The Dolphins threatened in the fifth inning after three consecutive singles from Justin Nadeau, Kris Armstrong and Hogan McIntosh saw Nadeau end up home. Tommy Joseph then walked on seven pitches to load the bases but a pop up and ground out to short in succession put an end to the Dolphins threat. JSU went on to even the damage with a two-out single that scored a runner in the home half of the inning.Jacksonville closed the gap to two in the sixth inning after a bases loaded walk to McIntosh was followed by a throwing error by Jacksonville State’s Hernandez on a ground ball up the middle. The Dolphins ended the inning with a groundout to second base and left the bases loaded. The Gamecocks were able to mirror the Dolphins three runs in their half of the sixth and preserve their five run lead.“Tomorrow we’re just looking to relax and play the game the way we truly know how to play,” said coach Hayes.Dakota Stone (3-2) started for the Dolphins and gave up nine earned runs on nine hits in three innings of work. He struck out six. Scout Updike and Leighton Alley appeared in the game in relief with Updike surrendering four runs in 2.1 innings while Alley put up a goose egg of runs off three hits in 2.2 innings of work.
JU: Dolphins Battle But Fall To Jacksonville State In Game Two Of The Series
