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5/25/2007 - BASEBALL
Jacksonville Shuts Out GWU, Will Play for Title
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DeLand, Fla. - The No. 4 seed Jacksonville Dolphins eliminated the No. 5 seed Gardner-Webb Bulldogs 4-0 in the second game of day three of the 2007 Atlantic Sun Baseball Championship presented by Progress Energy. Jacksonville starter, Carson Andrew, shut down the Bulldogs for seven innings. Andrew allowed no runs on three hits, while striking out five. Kevin Ferreira reached base three times for the Dolphins with two hits and a walk, scoring twice. Tim Brown pitched the final two scoreless innings for Jacksonville, completing the 2007 tournament's first shutout. There were four shutouts in the 2006 tourney.
Gardner-Webb is eliminated from the 2007 tournament. Jacksonville advances to Saturday and will play No. 3 seed Belmont. It is still to be determined whether their match up will be in the championship round, or to reach the championship. If Belmont beats Stetson tonight, then Dolphins will play the Bruins for the automatic NCAA bid. If Stetson beats Belmont tonight, JU will play the Bruins for the right to play Stetson for the title.
The Dolphins struck first in the top of the third inning taking a 2-0 lead. Chuch Opachich delivered a RBI single to right field driving in Kevin Ferreira. Ferreira reached base on a single to lead off the inning. Logan James singled Ferreira over to third base before Opachich drove him in. Mike McCallister then sacrificed James to third base and Opachich to second for the first out in the inning. Bulldogs starting pitcher, Josh Drewery intentionally walked A-Sun playe of the Year Pete Clifford to load the bases for Ryan McArdle. Drewery was then charged with a wild pitch, which Logan James came home to score on. Opachich and Clifford advanced on the play. McArdle flied out to center for the second out of the inning. Opachich was not able to tag up on the fly out. Catcher Brad Simmons struck out to end the Dolphins inning.
Jacksonville loaded the bases again in the top of the fourth after Kevin Ferreira, Logan James and Chuck Opachich all singled with two outs, bringing Mike McCallister to the plate. Deja vu occured as the Dolphins scored another run on a wild pitch with the bases loaded, with Ferreira scoring his second run of the game. Once again, the runners advanced to second and third, Mike McCallister struck out swinging to end the top of the fourth with Jacksonville leading 3-0.
Gardner-Webb threatened to put some runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning against Jacksonville starter, Carson Andrew. Jeremiah Lokken walked and stole second. He later moved to third on a fielder's choice ground out by Justin Loyd. Loyd stole second to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Jon Ahearn grounded out to third to end the Bulldogs scoring threat.
Bulldogs starter, Josh Drewery's day ended with two outs in the top of the fifth after giving up a double to Brad Simmons. Drewery went 4.2 innings allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2. Wes Cogdill induced Thomas LePage into the inning ended ground out.
Tim Brown relieved Carson Andrew in the eighth for the Dolphins after Andrew walked Jamall Kinard to lead off the inning. Andrew lasted 7 innings, striking out 5 and allowing 0 runs on 3 hits. Jay McConnell lined out to right, and Daniel Cooke lined out and Jamall Kinard was doubled up at first to end the inning.
Ryan McArdle added an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give JU a 4-0 lead. Tim Brown finished off the Bulldogs with a three up, three down ninth inning.
JU improves to 16-11 all-time in tourney play. Gardner-Webb falls to 2-8.
