May 23, 2002

DeLand, Fla. - Jacksonville scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to answer Samford's comeback and eliminate the Bulldogs from the A-Sun tournament, 11-6 Thursday afternoon at Melching Field. Samford ends its season 27-31 while JU moves on to the face the loser of the game between No. 2 FAU and No. 3 Stetson.

Josh Deel (3-2) threw 1.2 innings in relief allowing one run on three hits to pick up the win while Robert Evans (4-2) allowed four earned runs in a 1/3 of an inning. Phil Nover went 4-for-4 with five RBI and four runs scored to lead the Dolphins.

Trailing 6-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Bulldogs erupted for five runs tying the game, 6-6 and spoiling Bryan Williams one-hitter through seven inning. Cory Sumner and Robert Evans each led off the inning with a single. With no outs, Grant Caldwell doubled down the right field line to score Sumner. Evans scored on a wild pitch. After Major Allred grounded out, Heath Owen hit his 11th home run of the season, a two-run shot, to bring the Bulldogs within, 6-5. Sae Evans followed with a single and scored on Kip Snowden's single to right center, making it 6-6.

The Dolphins answered Samford's rally with a five-run inning of their own in the top of the ninth. With one out, JU scored five runs off six hits and one Samford error.

Jacksonville took a 2-0 lead on a Phil Nover's two-run home run in the top of the first inning to get the game going.

Samford cut into its deficit in the bottom of the second. Sae Evans blooped a double into right field and scored when Eli Iorg reached on an error, making it 2-1.

The Dolphins extended their lead to 3-1 in the top of the sixth on Nover's second home run of the day.

Jacksonville added three runs in the top of the eighth to take the 6-1 lead.

Sae Evans went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to lead Samford while Sumner went 2-for-5. Caldwell, Robert Evans, Owen and Snowden each finished with one hit. Jacksonville out-hit the Bulldogs 16-8 and each team committed two errors. Chris Reier finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored for Samford.

Ehren Wassermann who started the game for the Bulldogs allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out one. Williams finished the game with four earned runs on five hits and five strikeouts to get the no decision.