FINAL: VCU 1 (3-7), Jacksonville 2 (6-7) (Jacksonville, Fla.) – Sessions Stadium

VCU STARTERS: Farrar (DH), Bunn (LF) Davis (3B), Machin (SS), Dressler (1B), Acker (RF), Kerrigan (CF), Haymaker (C), Mickelson (2B), Blanchard (SP)

JACKSONVILLE STARTERS: Gibson (CF), Amendolare (2B), Marabell (LF), Hays (RF), Dewitt (1B), Luther (C), Gould (SS), Seifert (3B), Babb (DH), Baumann (SP)

THE BASICS: VCU pitchers allowed just three hits all night against Jacksonville and the offense put together yet another late-game comeback, but the Dolphins became the second straight team to down the Rams in the bottom of the ninth, who found themselves on the wrong end of a 2-1 decision. Matt Blanchard tossed 5.2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out seven batters.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• From the get-go it was apparent that we had a pitchers duel on our hands. Through five innings, both VCU and Jacksonville had combined for just four hits and 14 strikeouts. Matt Blanchard had allowed just two base runners up to this point while striking out seven. At one point he had sat down five straight Dolphins on strikes, the best such streak for a Ram this season. Cooper Mickelson also provided stellar defense at second base that helped nip several potential Jacksonville rallies in the bud.
• The Rams did have good chances in the fifth and sixth innings. The fifth started off with a single from Walker Haymaker, who advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Logan Farrar was hit by a pitch to put two VCU runners on base with one out, but the inning would end with no runs scored. The sixth inning began with a walk from Vimael Machin and a long single from Shane Dressler. However a double play followed and a ground out ended the inning.
• Jacksonville plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth on a fielder's choice to make the score 1-0. A couple of wild pitches helped the Dolphins move runners up and get into scoring position.
• In the top of the eighth VCU had a runner on third for the first time all night after James Bunn singled to center. A stolen base and a wild pitch put him on third base with one out, but the inning would end with him stranded there after two strikeouts.
• For the second straight game, the Rams came back in the top of the ninth; a leadoff single was negated after Cody Acker was caught stealing second, then Haymaker lined a single into center field but advanced to second after the Dolphin defender couldn't field the play cleanly. Mickelson walked to put two men on and Farrar followed that up with another walk to load the bases. Bunn walked to force in the tying run, making the score 1-1.
• And for the second straight game, VCU fell in the bottom of the ninth. A throwing error on an attempted double play allowed the runner at second to speed around third and score easily, giving the Rams a 2-1 loss in the series opener.

UP NEXT

• Game two starts tomorrow at 2 pm with the Sunday finale coming at 1 pm. Sunday's game will be broadcast on ESPN3.