JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville's five-run first inning doomed the Bellarmine University baseball team as the Dolphins clinched the ASUN series with a 9-4 victory Saturday at John Sessions Stadium.

Although Jacksonville (28-18, 12-11 ASUN) would add insurance, the Dolphins ultimately plated all the runs they would need in the opening frame against Bellarmine (11-36, 6-17). JU hit for a team cycle in the inning with a pair of singles alongside one double, triple and home run in building a 5-0 lead.

Bellarmine got a pair of runs back in the second inning when freshman catcher Charlie Rife was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and freshman third baseman Luke Scales followed with a sacrifice fly.

Senior designated hitter Colin Bertsch walloped a solo homer in the fourth for his sixth long ball of the season. The Knights then cut the deficit to 6-4 in the fifth when senior center fielder Dylan Byerly had an RBI fielder's choice that was set up by a perfectly executed hit-and-run single by freshman right fielder Joey Milto.

Jacksonville regained momentum after scoring two runs in the bottom half and adding another in the sixth for a 9-4 lead. The Dolphins held the Knights scoreless over the final four innings.

Senior left-hander Steven Thom struck out four in 2.0 shutout innings of relief for Bellarmine. Milto was 2-for-2.

The series finale has been moved up one hour to noon (ET) Sunday.

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