Florida Gulf Coast University

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4/18/2026 | 4:00 PM


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Apr. 18 (Sat) / 4:00 PM


at Florida Gulf Coast University

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a midweek, non-conference test at home against Florida A&M, the Jacksonville Dolphins walked if off behind a Jaida Thomas single, winning 6-5.

The ‘Phins improved to 27-15, maintaining an 11-4 conference record moving into the weekend. Jacksonville has won its last six games and are winners of 10 of their last 11. For head coach Erica Ayers, the win moved her to 202 wins as the program’s skipper. 

Tuesday’s game was the third game winner for JU, all three coming in non-conference play. Thomas swung the bat which propelled Jacksonville to a 7-6, 8th inning win over North Florida at the start of conference play on the road but picked up a true walk-off winner in front of the home fans just one inning shy of extras.

Heading into the bottom of the fifth, Jacksonville found itself down 5-3 after being behind the entirety of the game to that point. A wild pitch scored a ‘Phins runner in the sixth before Tatum McCool cranked a double to center to tie the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Vic Brunette on second, Thomas hit a fast grounder directly at the chest of the FAMU shortstop. With Brunette coming across the shortstop’s face, the ball careened into the outfield and found Brunette running on both feet into home plate.

Thomas finished with a 2-3 outing at the plate, knocking in her lone RBI in the seventh. Sarah Beth Brake also finished with a 2-3 showing, adding a single RBI in the third. 

Jacksonville and FAMU tied in the hits category with nine each, but Jacksonville got some extra base help via three doubles courtesy of Brake, McCool and Maci Burkhart.

Earning the start behind the dish was Burkhart, catching for fellow freshman Margaret Jenkins who went two innings. The Dolphins saw seven freshmen make an appearance in the game with the freshman Thomas coming up in the clutch.

After Jenkins departed the circle, Reese Wells went two innings before Jacy Harrelson came on for two herself, earning her 16th win of the season (16-7).

Harrelson moved into a tie for fifth place all-time in the JU record books courtesy of her victory. She’s now two wins shy of a tie for second place all time and behind the first-place lead of 27 set by Jacksonville and Atlantic Sun Hall of Famer Sarah Sigrest Caffrey.

The ASUN-leading Dolphins return to conference play this weekend, looking for a season sweep of the FGCU Eagles down in Ft. Myers. Jacksonville holds a 2-1 series lead so far over FGCU, looking to potentially hit the 30-win mark, the first team since 2018 to hit that number. First pitch of the series, which will be broadcast on ESPN+, is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start on Saturday, April 18.

JU is currently tied with Stetson at a league-best 11 wins. The Dolphins have lost just one conference series all season.

COACH’S COMMENTS
“She just quietly goes about her business,” head coach Ayers said of the freshman Thomas. “She has been consistent all year long. A definite spar