Jacksonville University scored four of its runs in the second inning and pitcher Jacy Harrelson benefited from a batch of clutch defensive plays as the Dolphins beat Florida Gulf Coast 6-2 on May 6 in the ASUN Softball Tournament, at the University of North Florida Softball Complex.
JU (33-19), the tournament’s fourth seed, advanced to a winner’s bracket game on May 7 against No. 1 seeded Central Arkansas (34-18-1), which had a double bye.
Fifth-seeded Florida Gulf Coast (21-32) will play the loser of a game between No. 7 North Florida (37-20) and No. 3 North Alabama (27-24-1), which was played after the JU-FGCU game.
JU fielders turn in highlight reel plays
The Dolphins doused Gulf Coast rallies in three key innings with other-worldly defensive plays.
In the fourth inning, third baseman Lindsey Chadwick leaped to snare a line drive by Tiffany Meek after a single by Sietske Drijvers and a double by Ally Thompson produced a run with one out.
FGCU led off the fifth with bunt singles by K’Mari Williams and Parris Wiggs. Presley Smith then dropped a blooper into short left-field that popped out of the glove of JU left fielder Reese Wells when she made a diving effort.
But shortstop Vic Brunette alertly pounced on the ball and forced Williams out at third in a bang-bang play that was reviewed, then upheld. Harrelson got out of the inning with an infield grounder and a strikeout.
In the sixth, Wells’ replacement in left fielder, Kate Linkletter, ranged to the fence in foul territory and snared a foul ball hit by Nikki Gibson, bending herself double over the fence railing.
The best really did come last: After Smith hit a two-out single for the Eagles, Sophie Wylie sent a drive to the deepest part of center. JU center fielder Jaida Thomas, the ASUN Freshman of the Year, jumped, reached over the fence and snatched the ball at the last second.
”Those two outfield catches were as big as they come,” JU coach Erica Ayers said. “They were impressive. It shows their hustle and their grit. They never quit.”
Harrelson (21-7) said having defenders that can range far and wide gives her more confidence in the circle. But she also didn’t help the Eagles by issuing any walks.
“Our defense is special,” said Harrelson, the ASUN’s top winner this season. “I’m so thankful for them because even on the days when I don’t feel my sharpest, they always step up and pick me up.”
The Dolphins’ four-run second, which answered Gibson’s second homer of the season, also helped. The big hits were RBI doubles by Tocoi Creek graduate Tatum McCool and Thomas.
”I was just trying to energize the team any way I could,” McCool said.
JU added two more runs on Lindsey Chadwick’s 10th homer of the season on the first pitch of the third inning and Sarah Beth Blake’s RBI double in the sixth.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville University’s fielding gems help shut down FGCU in ASUN Softball
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
