Jumbo Shrimp Comeback Falls Short in Slugfest in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (www.jaxsportsday.com)– Home runs from Charles Leblanc, Austin Allen and Dane Myers were not enough for the Jumbo Shrimp on Friday, as Jacksonville’s rally fell short in a 7-6 loss to the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park.

The Jumbo Shrimp (59-64, 27-22) entered the bottom of the fourth inning ahead 4-3, but Bryan Lavastida led off with a home run off reliever Richard Rodriguez (2-1) to knot the score. Angel Martinez followed with a double before Chris Roller walked. Brayan Rocchio then blasted a three-run home run to give the Clippers (55-66, 22-25) a 7-4 advantage.

The lead held until the seventh inning, when Myers laced a solo shot off Columbus starter Zach Plesac (5-4) to trim the deficit to two.

Former Jacksonville reliever Nic Enright entered the game for the Clippers with the score still 7-5 in the ninth. Myers led off with a double before scoring on a Griffin Conine single. After a strikeout, Leblanc doubled to put runners on second and third with just one out. However, Enright struck out each of the next two batters to earn his first save.

Jacksonville jumped on the scoreboard first in the second inning. With one out, Allen singled and Myers doubled. A Conine RBI ground out scored the game’s first run before Myers sprinted in on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.

Columbus, though, would tie in the bottom of the second. Lavastida doubled with two outs and then Martinez went yard for the equalizer.

Leblanc’s solo shot led off the third, but in the bottom of the inning, David Fry hit a solo round-tripper to again even the score. Allen’s home run came to begin the fourth to make it 4-3 before the Clippers’ rally in the bottom of the inning.

Jake Walters struck out three in 4.0 innings of relief for the Jumbo Shrimp.

Jacksonville and Columbus meet in Saturday’s 5:05 p.m. first pitch. LHP Enmanuel De Jesus (4-3, 4.98 ERA) starts for the Jumbo Shrimp against Clippers RHP Cal Quantrill (0-2, 16.20 ERA). 

Volleyball: JU Wins Dramatic Season Opener; Balanced Attack Carries UNF Past Denver

 SANTA CLARA, Calif. (www.jaxsportsday.com) - Jacksonville University volleyball rallied to win the final two sets, beating California Baptist 3-2 on Friday morning at Mission College Gymnasium.

The Dolphins (1-0) saw contributions from a whole host of players on the roster to prevail in the first match of the San Jose State/Santa Clara Tourney.

Jenna McNamara set a career-high with 21 kills, with a .395 hitting percentage.Rebecca Rocassin dished out 50 assists, and also added nine digs, four kills and a block. Kristina Nika registered a career-high in digs, with 16 to lead the team. Three players had five blocks each: Lyric Love, Alija Heins and Claire Mrukowski

It was the first season-opening win for JU since the 2017 season

"This was a complete team win, which is great to see at the start of a season," said Head Coach Maggie Johnson. "I was really proud of everyone's willingness to step into new or different roles at any moment and find success."

Kailey McKnight turned in a game-high 16 kills, Amy Burkhardt dropped in four aces and Kelly Negron notched a double-double in her UNF debut as North Florida volleyball (1-0) started the 2023 campaign with a 3-1 win against Denver (0-1) Friday, Aug. 25.

The Ospreys and Pioneers shared 25-15 wins respectively through the first two frames, but North Florida had the better legs late, tallying consecutive 25-18 results over frames three and four.

Jacksonville Men's Soccer falls 3-1 Against No. 4 Duke

 DURHAM, N.C (www.jaxsportsday.com) - The Jacksonville men's soccer team fell 3-1 against the fourth ranked team in the country, Duke, on Friday evening.

A thrilling season opener saw the Dolphins square off against nationally ranked and 2022 NCAA tournament quarterfinalists in Duke. The matchup marked the highest-ranked opponent the Dolphins have faced in the program's history.

Straight from kickoff, both teams showed strong defensive play, and created an intense first 20 minutes of action that featured back and forth action.As the match began to open up, 

The Blue Devils launched a series of free kicks and three striking attempts, testing the Dolphins' defense. Yet, the Dolphins' early 'bend don't break' defense proved unyielding and stood strong against the ACC foe.

The match carried on towards the halfway mark, and the Blue Devils seemed to settle into the match. JU sophomore then proceeded to pounce on a Duke mistake with just one minute remaining in the half and punished the opposing defense to give Jacksonville the game's first goal.

The second half began with similar fireworks to the first as both sides ripped a pair of shots in the first 10 minutes. Jacksonville's Andres Perez de Garcia and Owen Guske both narrowly doubled the Dolphins advantage, but just couldn't find the back of the net.The half began to dip in fireworks, however in the 75th minute, Duke's midfielder Drew Kerr found the back of the net off a set-piece to level the score.

 Shortly after the Blue Devils were rewarded with a penalty kick that they capitalized on to take their first lead of the game with just 10 minutes remaining. As the Dolphins searched for an equalizer and attempted to stretch the field, Duke was able to find the back of the net off another set-piece with just under four minutes remaining to clinch the season opening victory.

NOTES: Both the Dolphins and Blue Devils had four shots on goal a piece.Daniel Wilkins, a transfer from Houston Christian, scored his first goal as a Dolphin.

The Dolphins swim on as they prepare for a quick turnaround match on Sunday, Aug. 27 against Elon Phoenix in North Carolina. The match is scheduled to begin at 2 PM and can be watched on FloSports ($)

Flagler picked second in PBC; Birkelund, Fisch, Hansen named to preseason all-conference team

AUGUSTA, Ga. (www.jaxsportsday.com)  – The Flagler College men’s soccer team was picked to finish in second place in the Peach Belt Conference’s preseason coaches’ poll, released this morning by conference officials. Marc Birkelund, Liam Fisch, and Paul Hansen were all selected to the preseason all-conference team.

The Saints fell one point shy of tying preseason favorite Clayton State University. Flagler had 21 while Clayton State tallied 22. Lander University was picked to finish in third place with 19 points. All three teams received two first-place votes.

Flagler posted a 10-4-3 overall record in 2022 and went 8-2-2 in PBC play. The Saints finished in second place and was one point short of finishing in a tie for first place.

Thomas Coombes, who enters his second season with the Saints, returns 13 players from last year’s club, including five starters. Highlighting the returnees are the three preseason all-conference selections: Birkelund, Fisch, and Hansen. Birkelund is a junior forward from Højslev, Denmark who earned second-team All-PBC honors one year ago. He scored a goal and tallied a pair of assists. Fisch, a junior midfielder from Rüssellheim, Germany also earned second-team all-conference honors last season after scoring three goals and tallying a pair of assists. Hansen is a junior forward from Regensburg, Germany who took home first-team all-conference honors. He is the team’s leading returning scorer with six goals and two assists for 14 points. 

The rest of the coaches’ poll is: 4) Georgia Southwestern State University (14 points), 5) the University of North Georgia (9); and 6) USC Aiken (5).  

The Saints open the season at home on Aug. 31 against Newberry College at 6 p.m. at Saints Field.  

NBA: Orlando Magic Single Game Tickets Go on Sale

 ORLANDO (www.jaxsportsday.com) – Single-game tickets for all home games of the 2023-'24 Orlando Magic season will go on sale Friday, August 25 at 1 p.m. to the general public. The Magic will open the preseason at home on Tues., Oct. 17 vs. New Orleans and the regular season in the Amway Center tips off at 7 p.m. on Weds., Oct. 25 when the Magic host the Houston Rockets. 

 

Tickets will be available for purchase*:

• Online at OrlandoMagic.com/Tickets

• At the Amway Center box office (located on Church St.)
• Most credit cards accepted at all purchase points

 

Returning this season, the Magic will offer the fan-favorite Fast Break Monthly Pass presented by Planet Fitness, which includes three or more games each month for only $49. More details can be found at OrlandoMagic.com/FastBreak. For more information, log on to OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.

 

*All tickets are tax free through Sept. 4, 2023 during the Florida Freedom Summer Sales tax holiday

Jacksonville Sharks Jump to the Indoor Football League

Sioux Falls, SD – The Indoor Football League announced that as all fourteen of the returning 2023 IFL teams start building for 2024, another star franchise will be added to the schedule, the Jacksonville Sharks.

"To pick up another historic brand like the Jacksonville Sharks, is one of many reasons to tune into the IFL for 2024,” said IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon. “Jacksonville is a first-class organization that will help make everyone better. We are excited to add them to the mix of great IFL franchises as we build for 2024.” 

The Jacksonville Sharks have an extensive history of success and powerful indoor football brand. The Sharks were part of the AFL from 2010 to 2016, including a National Arena Bowl championship in 2011.  In 2017, the Sharks moved to the National Arena League where they won league championships in 2017, 2019 and 2023.

"We are excited to renew some old rivalries with teams like the Arizona Rattlers and Massachusetts Pirates," said Head Coach Jason Gibson. "This is a huge win for our fan base."

The IFL just finished up it’s fifteenth consecutive season with the second installation of the Dollar Loan Center IFL National Championship in Henderson, Nevada on August 5th. Jacksonville will join the current fourteen teams to create a powerhouse Indoor Football lineup.

Inter Miami CF Captures Inaugural Leagues Cup Title

 NEW YORK CITY AND MEXICO CITY  – In a thrilling, penalty-kick victory at GEODIS Park, Inter Miami CF won the inaugural Leagues Cup title over Nashville SC in front of a sellout crowd of 30,109 on Saturday night in Nashville. Following a tremendous, back-and-forth 90-plus minutes that saw the match tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation, Inter Miami emerged victorious, 10-9, in penalty kicks with goalkeeper Drake Callender registering the game-winning strike.  

After outlasting 46 clubs from LIGA MX and MLS, Inter Miami won its first official international tournament title and earned an automatic berth into the Round of 16 of the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup. Nashville SC, as the tournament’s runner-up, and the Philadelphia Union, as the winner of Saturday’s Third-Place Match against C.F. Monterrey, both earned qualification into the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round One.  

After a back-and-forth first 20 minutes of the match, Inter Miami star Lionel Messi landed the game’s first blow in the 23rd minute, corraling a deflection before making a few quick dribbles and firing a sensational left-footed shot past a diving ‘keeper for a 1-0 advantage (Watch Here). The goal was Messi’s tournament-best 10th of Leagues Cup 2023 and his fifth from outside of the 18-yard box. Nashville responded in the second half, as a corner kick from Hany Mukhtar found the head of Sam Surridge , who redirected the ball to a diving Fafà Picault on the back post who leveled the score at 1-1 in the 57th minute (Watch Here). 

Several key saves were made by Callender late in the match, however, none was bigger than in the 77th minute, as he kept the scoreline equal with a tremendous prevention that left a Nashville SC fast break led by Mukhtar and Surridge empty (Watch Here). In the waning seconds of regulation, a breakaway opportunity for Miami forward Leonardo Campana found the left post, sending the game into penalty kicks.  

Callender once again came up big in the penalty shootout, as he recorded the game-winning strike and made two key saves, including the decisive stop in the 11th round to preserve the victory.  

The following are the individual award winners for Leagues Cup 2023: 

• Best Player: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF 
• Top Scorer: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF (10 goals) 
• Best Goalkeeper: Drake Callender, Inter Miami CF 

Marlins to Send Nance to Jumbo Shrimp for Rehab Assignment

JACKSONVILLE Miami Marlins’ reliever Tommy Nance will continue an injury rehabilitation assignment presented by H2 Health for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Wednesday for a 6:15 p.m. game at Columbus Clippers from Huntington Park.

Nance was originally placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on March 27, 2023 and then transferred to the 60-day IL on April 22, 2023. He has pitched in 10 minor league games this season with Double-A Pensacola, Low-A Jupiter and the Rookie-level FCL Marlins, going 0-1 with a 1.32 ERA. Over 13.2 innings, he has struck out 15 against only three walks and seven hits allowed.

 

A native of Santa Clara, Calif., Nance was originally signed by the Chicago Cubs as a minor league free agent on February 1, 2016. During the 2016 season, Nance blew through the Cubs minor league system, working his way from Short-Season A Eugene all the way to Triple-A Iowa. In 22 appearances, he went 4-1 with a 2.58 ERA, allowing 12 runs, 11 earned runs on 34 hits in 38.1 innings. He tallied 36 strikeouts against 15 walks while holding opponents to a .243 batting average across four different minor league levels.

 

Despite skipping Double-A in 2016, Nance spent the 2017 season with the Cubs Double-A affiliate, Tennessee Smokies of the Southern League. There, he held Southern League opponents to a .187 batting average against, spinning 20.2 innings while allowing 10 runs, eight earned runs on 14 hits for a 3.48 ERA.

 

After posting a 2.35 ERA with the Iowa Cubs in 2021, Nance made his major league debut on May 17, 2021 against the Washington Nationals. He tossed one perfect inning, tallying one strikeout. He was later claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins on March 27, 2022.

 

During the 2022 campaign, he spent time with Jacksonville both on the active roster and as a major league rehabber. He totaled 5.2 innings, allowing three runs, two earned runs on two hits for a 3.18 ERA. He struck out six against only two walks in four appearances and one start.

 

Nance will be the 11th Marlin and 14th overall assignment to embark on an injury rehabilitation assignment presented by H2 Health with Jacksonville. Left-hander Steven Okert (April 7-21), infielder Joey Wendle (April 26-May 7), right-handers Johnny Cueto (May 2-7, June 22-July 9), Nic Enright (May 7-30), JT Chargois (May 9-16), first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper (May 12), outfielders Jesus Sánchez (May 26-30), Avisaíl García (May 27-June 3, July 25-30) and Jazz Chisholm Jr. (June 20-25) and left-hander Andrew Nardi (July 25-August 1) have also rehabbed with Jacksonville in 2023.

Stakes are High for Players at CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – PGA TOUR Canada begins its three-week sprint to the finish line this week at the CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open and dozens of players remain in contention to finish among the top five on the Fortinet Cup standings and earn a spot on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour.

There is plenty at stake. The winner of the Fortinet Cup will receive a $25,000 bonus and full status on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour. The second- through fifth-place finishers earn conditional Korn Ferry status and all five will be exempt into the final stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.

“It would mean a lot,” said John Pak, currently No. 4 in the Fortinet Cup standings. “Just that guarantee of being in the final stage of Q-School, that security blanket would be really nice.”

Pak won the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open presented by Brandt and has three top-25 finishes this season. Pak wants to keep the same steady approach for the final three weeks.

“Just keep playing my game,” Pak said. “I don’t think anything really changes. I try really hard not to think about it. Obviously, everyone does, but just try not to think about it and keep playing my game, one shot at a time, one tournament at a time.”

One tournament at a time is a good strategy, as there are only two more full-field events before the top 60 earn a spot in the season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship in Calgary.

Among the most prominent Canadians in the hunt this week at Southwood Golf & Country Club are Étienne Papineau (No. 5), Myles Creighton (No. 14), and Noah Steele (No. 18). Canadian Stuart Macdonald, who is No. 3 on the Fortinet Cup standings, is skipping this event to remain home in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife Carly, who is delivering the couple’s first child.

Papineau won the season-opening Royal Beach Victoria Open presented by Times Colonist and led the Fortinet Cup standings for three-straight weeks early in the season, but currently sits in fifth after missing the cut for the first time at the Windsor Championship.

Creighton, of Digby, Nova Scotia, has only played in three PGA TOUR Canada events since completing his season ranked No. 2 on PGA TOUR Latinoamérica. Creighton’s top finish in Canada was second at the Osprey Valley Open presented by Votorantim Cimentos CBM Aggregates, where he almost erased a four-shot deficit in the final round. After finishing tied for 44th in Windsor, he jumped two spots to land at 14th on the Fortinet Cup points list heading into Winnipeg.

Steele, of Kingston, Ontario, has enjoyed a solid season on PGA TOUR Canada thus far, which marks his second on the Tour. He has made four cuts in seven starts and placed among the top 15 each time. He has three top-10s and recorded a season-best 62 in his second round at the Windsor Championship, finishing the event tied for 14^th, jumping four spots to No. 18 on the points list.

Canadians Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Jared du Toit, Jimmy Jones and Matthew Anderson are all capable of moving up the standings with a solid finish this week, as well.

Yellamaraju, of Mississauga, Ontario, has made the cut in four of seven starts. His best was a solo fourth at the ATB Classic and he had three-consecutive top-25s until missing the cut at the Windsor Championship. He is No. 23 in the Fortinet Cup.

Du Toit, of Calgary, Alberta, is No. 27 in the Fortinet Cup. He has made the cut in six of seven starts and is trying to rediscover the magic of the first week, when he tied for fourth at the Royal Beach Victoria Open.

Jones, of Lake Cowichan, British Columbia, is No. 28 on the Fortinet Cup. He won the final PGA TOUR Canada Qualifying Tournament to earn full exemption this season but didn’t nab his first top-10 until tying for sixth at the Osprey Valley Open.

Anderson, of Mississauga, Ontario, is No. 37 on the points list. He is coming off a season-best 12^th-place finish at the Windsor Championship and is hopeful of another strong finish this week.

“I’ve learned I have the game to win and be in the mix out here every week,” Anderson said. “The margins are small, smaller out here than in college, for sure. The difference between missing the cut and making the cut by a few shots and having a good Saturday and being in contention is pretty small.”

The field is chasing Fortinet Cup leader Davis Lamb, the only two-time winner this season, and rookie Sam Choi, who is currently No. 2 after his convincing win in early August at the Windsor Championship.

The CentrePort Canada Rail Park Manitoba Open is the eighth tournament on the 10-event PGA TOUR Canada schedule and comes after a two-week break in the season.

Chris Korte leads PGA TOUR Canada in final-round scoring average. Korte has averaged 64 strokes on Sunday, a full 1.75 strokes ahead of second-place David Kim and two strokes better than Cooper Dossey.

Sam Choi’s presence at the top of the leaderboard has been unmatched this season. He’s recorded six top-10 finishes – twice as many as Noah Steele, Devon Bling and Brandon Hoelzer, who each have three. He has also made the cut in every one of his professional starts, a feat only one other player - Australian Jason Hong - has done this year.

This is also Hong’s rookie season, turning professional in 2023 after graduating from Lipscomb University with his master’s degree. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, playing for the Boilermakers for three seasons.

Bling, who graduated from UCLA in 2022, currently sits in sixth of the Fortinet Cup standings and has three top-10s, two of which have resulted in runner-up finishes, once in a playoff.

Ryan McMillan, of Winnipeg, earned a spot in his first professional event when he shot a 6-under 66 to finish third at the Monday qualifier at Glendale Golf and Country Club. McMillan, who played at Eastern Florida State College, comes from a golf family; his father Dave and his uncles Rob and Darren have all played professionally in some capacity. Rob McMillan won the 1996 Manitoba Open as an amateur.

Braxton Kuntz, who recently won his third-straight Manitoba Amateur Championship, received a sponsor exemption. He plays golf at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.

Morgan Barron, a center on the NHL's Winnipeg Jets, is in the field on a sponsor exemption. The club has been represented in the past by players Mark Schiefele and Kyle Connor.

The Manitoba Open was first played in 1919. As one of the oldest golf tournaments in North America it is a tradition that has lasted more than 100 years. In 1998, it was renamed the MTS Classic and later the Free Press Manitoba Classic. In 2008, it became the Players Cup and, in 2020, back to the original Manitoba Open. It was cancelled in 2020-21 because of COVID. Previous notable winners include Graham DeLaet, C.T. Pan, Tom Hoge, Dave Barr, Dan Halldorson, Moe Norman and George Knudson.

Parker Coody, the most recent past champion, shot a 27-under in 2022, the second-lowest score in relation to par in PGA TOUR Canada history. His eight-stroke win over Ian Holt tied him for the largest victory margin in Tour history. Coody is currently competing on the Korn Ferry Tour and is ranked No. 16.

Southwood Golf & Country Club, the host club, was established in 1894 and relocated in 2011 to a new course. Touted for being a “prairie-style links,” the course was designed by Thomas McBroom and is located next to the Trappist Monastery Ruins. The course plays through tree groves, river valley and historic ruins, and features wind-swept bunkers and plenty of water hazards.

Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Nipped 2-1 by IronPigs

 ALLENTOWN, Pa. (www.jacksonvillesportsday.com)– The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp offense went just 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position in Thursday’s 2-1 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs from Coca-Cola Park.

With Jacksonville (56-60, 24-18) ahead 1-0 in the second, both Scott Kingery and Cal Stevenson singled with two outs against Jumbo Shrimp starter Edward Cabrera (2-1). After Stevenson stole second to put two runners in scoring position, Brandon Marsh doubled in the pair to give Lehigh Valley (62-52, 26-15) the lead at 2-1.

 

Jacksonville had several opportunities in the game, but were unable to scrape across another run outside of the first inning. In that opening frame, Xavier Edwards led off the game with a double. He scored two batters later on Troy Johnston’s two-bagger for the contest’s first run.

 

From there, IronPigs starter Nick Nelson (6-2) worked 6.0 innings of one-run ball to earn the win. Tyler McKay pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

 

The Jumbo Shrimp and IronPigs play in Friday’s 7:05 p.m. contest. LHP Devin Smeltzer (4-7, 6.45 ERA) starts for Jacksonville against Lehigh Valley RHP Shaun Anderson (1-1, 4.05 ERA). 

ECHL: Charles Williams Joins Icemen Front Office and Coaching Staff

JACKSONVILLE (www.jaxsportsday.com) – The Jacksonville Icemen announced that former Icemen goaltender Charles Williams has accepted a position with the club as Director of Community Hockey Development and Goaltending Coach.   

Williams will help grow the game of hockey in North Florida, working with youth sports teams and organizing events to introduce the game of hockey to local youth, while also promoting both the Icemen and Community First Igloo brand across the region.  Williams will also work with community leaders and groups to gain support with these initiatives. He will also serve as a youth hockey coach at the Community First Igloo.   

“We appreciate all of the effort that Charles has given the team as a player on the ice, and now we look forward to him joining our front office,” said Icemen President Bob Ohrablo.  “Charles has been admired by our fan base for the past three seasons, and there is no doubt he will be a great representative of our team in the community.”

In addition to his community outreach duties, Willams will also serve as the Icemen’s goaltending coach in the hockey operations department.  

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Charles join our staff,” said Icemen Head Coach Nick Luukko.  “Charles had an unbelievable career and we’re excited for the next chapter for him.   Not only is he one of the all-time great guys, but he also has a great mind for the game, especially at the goaltending position”   

Earlier this summer, Williams announced his retirement from hockey.  Williams played in 82 regular season contests for the Icemen from 2021-2023, which is the most appearances by a goaltender in club history.    

“Jacksonville is such a special place,” said Williams.  “To have the chance to work for the Icemen and continue to help make an impact in the community that has supported me and my family from day one is an opportunity of a lifetime.”   

Williams orchestrated a successful professional playing career, posting an 111-70-13 record, with ten shutouts, a 2.56 goals-against average, and a .912 save percentage in 195 career ECHL appearances split between the Icemen, Indy Fuel and the Manchester Monarchs. During the 2020-2021 season, Williams was named the ECHL Goaltender of the Month for March of 2021. Williams was exceptionally strong in the 2022 Kelly Cup Playoffs after recording a 1.32 goals-against average with a 0.952 save percentage in four appearances.   

Williams also earned AHL call-ups throughout his career with the Rochester Americans, Ontario Reign and Rockford IceHogs.  The Detroit, Michigan resident played collegiately at Ferris State University from 2012-2016 before recording an impressive 21-7-5 record at Canisius College during his senior season.   

Jumbo Shrimp Winning Streak Halted in 13-7 Loss to Norfolk

(File Photo by Jim Brady/Florida Sports Day)

JACKSONVILLE (www.sportsdayjax.com) – Coming off a record eight-game winning streak, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp fell to the Norfolk Tides 13-7 Sunday afternoon at 121 Financial Ballpark.

Norfolk (69-44, 21-18) took the early lead in the top of the first. Connor Norby doubled off Jacksonville (55-58, 23-16) starter Devin Smeltzer (L, 4-7). Two batters later, Joey Ortiz doubled home Norby to plate the game’s first run. After a fly out, Josh Lester to make it 2-0. 

 

Lewin Díaz started the second inning off with a double and Maverick Handley hit a two-bagger to make it a 3-0 contest. Shayne Fontana followed with a single. With runners at the corners, Norby walked to load the bases, Heston Kjerstad hit a sac fly to increase the lead to 4-0. An error on the throw home allowed Fontana and Norby to advance to second and third. Ortiz smacked an RBI single and Daz Cameron hit a sac fly to push the score to 6-0.

 

The Jumbo Shrimp got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Austin Allen led off with a single and went to second on a one-out single by Jacob Amaya. Paul McIntosh (5) walloped a three-run homer, cutting the deficit to 6-3. Griffin Conine followed with a triple and scored on a sac fly from Xavier Edwards to make it a two-run game.

 

The Tides added to their lead in the top of the fifth with a solo home run from Coby Mayo (3), padding the lead to 7-4.

 

Jacksonville drew closer in the bottom of the sixth. Edwards walked and Garrett Hampson singled with one out. Troy Johnston walked to load the bases and Dane Myers hit a sac fly to close the gap again, 7-5.

 

Norfolk blew the game open in the top of the seventh. Ortiz went to second on a fielding error and scored on a single by Cameron. Two wild pitches allowed Cameron to reach third and two batters later, Mayo reached on the second error of the inning to give the Tides a 9-5 lead. Díaz followed with a single and both runners advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Handley swatted a two-run single to push the lead to 11-5.

 

The Tides added a run in the eighth and ninth to take a commanding 13-5 lead.

 

The Jumbo Shrimp rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Amaya walked and reached second on a passed ball. McIntosh walked and two batters later, Edwards walked to load the bases. Hampson lashed a two-run single to cut the deficit to 13-7.

 

Jacksonville hits the road for a 12-game road trip, starting with six against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch on Tuesday. RHP Bryan Hoeing (1-0, 2.35 ERA) will start for the Jumbo Shrimp and Lehigh Valley will counter with RHP Griff McGarry (0-0, 27.00).