University of North Florida

Next Game:

University of North Florida

3/27/2026 | 7:00 PM


Mar. 27 (Fri) / 7:00 PM


 University of North Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a game defined as much by the weather as the opponent, Jacksonville outlasted Bethune-Cookman 4-3 in a rainy, wind-swept return to John Sessions Stadium on Tuesday night.

With conditions far from ideal, the Dolphins leaned on timely hitting, aggressive baserunning, and a staff-wide effort on the mound — using eight pitchers to secure the win. Dominic Pieto, JU’s best middle reliever thus far, earned the start on the mound.

Jacksonville struck early in the first, capitalizing on defensive miscues. Sammy Mummau reached and came around to score on a Sam Grunberg RBI single, before Conner Spelman delivered with an RBI double to make it 2-0.
 

After Bethune-Cookman scored three unearned runs in the top of the seventh to even the game at 3-3, Jacksonville answered with the decisive swing in the bottom half.

Roger Vergara led off with a single down the left field line and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Sammy Mummau. Cade Walter then reached on a fielding error by the shortstop, allowing Vergara to score what proved to be the game-winning run and give Jacksonville a 4-3 lead.

Walter was later thrown out attempting to take second, but the damage had been done as the Dolphins reclaimed the lead for good.

From there, it was all about navigating the chaos on the mound.

Dominic Pieto got the start and set the tone with two scoreless innings, and Jacksonville’s bullpen took over from there. Ben Baker-Livingston, Gavin Dicks, Kyle Powers, Grant Brooks, Logan Hartman, Kyle Hopper, and Austin Williamson each played a role in piecing together the final seven innings.

The pitchers got themselves out of some huge jams throughout the night, and each showed flashes of a stronger bullpen for the upcoming conference slate. 
 

Hopper (1-0) earned the win with a key stretch in relief, while Williamson picked up the save, shutting the door in the ninth to secure the victory. The win is the first of Hopper’s college career. For Williamson, the midweek save is a huge boost heading into the conference weekend after he surrendered a walk-off home run in Sunday’s rubber match versus Queens. 

The closer, Austin Williamson, after his second save of the year said “I’ve embraced my role, and whenever my name is called, I’ll do my best and give us a good chance to win.”
 

Jacksonville made the most of its opportunities, scoring four runs on just four hits while drawing four walks and taking advantage of multiple Bethune-Cookman errors. 

Spelman led the way with two hits and an RBI, while Grunberg added a run driven in. Vergara and Mummau each scored a run atop the order as the Dolphins improved in gritty fashion. There were four errors comitted by both teams due to the elements and as many hits.

Coach Hayes said “We did not play clean baseball today; but we played with a lot of guts.” It wasn’t always clean, but it was enough, as Jacksonville found a way late and leaned on its bullpen to close out a gritty 4-3 win.

Up Next

Jacksonville continues its homestand this weekend, in the first edition of the River City Rumble. Game one of three kicks off at 7:00 pm, and can be watched on ESPN+.Â