March 9, 2002

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Jacksonville left fielder Chad Oliva drove in Chris Reier for the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh as the Dolphins rallied to defeat Samford, 2-1 in the second game of an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader at Alexander Brest Field Saturday afternoon. The Dolphins swept both games from the Bulldogs as JU needed extra innings to rally and defeat Samford, 5-4 in nine innings in the first game.

Samford (9-8) dropped to 3-3 in the Atlantic Sun while Jacksonville (8-9) improved to 2-1. The Bulldogs took the early lead 1-0 in the top of the fourth when Robert Evans scored on a wild pitch. JU tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI-single by Jarvis Fraser.

The game remained that way until the bottom of the seventh. Reier singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. After Samford intentionally walked B.J. Weed, Oliva smacked a 1-0 pitch off the left center field wall to score Reier for the win.

Derek Tharpe (3-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs. Tharpe struck out six and gave up seven hits through 6.1 innings pitched. Bryan Williams pitched all seven innings for the Dolphins to get the win.

Cory Sumner, Robert Evans, Grant Caldwell, Ehren Wassermann and Kip Snowden each had one hit for the Bulldogs.

In game one, Jacksonville rallied from a 3-0 deficit to spoil Samford's bid to win the series. The Bulldogs led 1-0 after the first inning when Sumner made it all the way to third base on an error by the center fielder and scored on Robert Evans ground out.

Samford extended its lead on a two-run home run to right field by Robert Evans in the third. Jacksonville battled back to tie the game 3-3 with one run in the third and two runs in the fourth.

The Bulldogs scored the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh. Sae Evans singled to lead off the inning. Snowden then followed with a bunt single. Wassermann reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases. Michael Collins then singled through the left side to score Sae Evans for a 4-3, Bulldog advantage.

The Dolphins answered in the bottom of the seventh with one run of their own to force extra innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Jacksonville's Josh Johnson led off with walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Chad Hauseman. Samford intentionally walked third baseman Jon Galui. The Bulldogs got exactly what it had hoped for when Robby Cichra grounded to second. Collins flipped to second base for the force out, but the throw to first base passed the first baseman allowing Johnson to score the winning run.

Alan Bryan took the loss for Samford. Bryan (1-3) pitched 8.1 innings, striking out four and allowing two earned runs on eight hits.

Major Allred and Sae Evans each went 2-for-4. Sumner, Robert Evans, Caldwell, Snowden and Collins each had one hit. Robert Evans also finished with three RBI.

The Bulldogs return home to Joe Lee Griffin Field Tuesday and Wednesday for a two-game series with UT-Martin. Both games will start at 3 p.m.