THE RUNDOWN

The DBU Patriots (24-11, 8-4 CUSA) defeated the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (21-15, 5-7 CUSA) 12-1 in seven innings on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Rudy Abbott Field in Jacksonville, Alabama to sweep the series behind a dominant pitching performance from Ryan Borberg and a scorching hot offensive attack. 

It was a pitcher's duel throughout the first two innings of the ballgame as DBU starter Ryan Borberg and JSU starter James Wilson combined to throw two scoreless innings a piece. The Patriots loaded the bases in the second inning after a two out triple by Michael Dattalo, a walk from Joey Nerat, and a hit by pitch from Luke Heefner. However, Wilson was able to escape the jam after striking out Grant Jay. In the bottom half of the inning, the Gamecocks tried to mount a rally of their own after a two-out single, but Nerat made a fantastic diving catch in right field to rob Matthew Cash of an extra base hit and keep the game scoreless. 

The Patriots struck first in the third inning after Nathan Humphreys drew a walk and Chayton Krauss singled through the left side. After a throwing error by Wilson allowed Humphreys and Krauss to get to second and third, a wild pitch from Wilson scored Humphreys and gave the Patriots an early 1-0 lead. Keaton Grady then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Krauss. After the Patriots loaded the bases, Heefner beat out an infield single, and excellent base running from Landon Underhill allowed two runs to score on the play. Jay then singled through the right side, scoring Nerat. To cap off the rally, Humphreys tripled into the right center field gap, scoring both Heefner and Jay and giving DBU a 7-0 lead. 

In the fourth inning, the Patriots continued to add onto their lead as Jake Bennett launched a solo home run to left field, his eighth home run of the season. Luke Heefner then singled to right field, scoring both Dattalo and Underhill to give DBU a 10-0 lead. On the mound, Borberg continued to shine, throwing a career-high six scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing only three baserunners. 

In the seventh, Bennett launched his second home run of the game to left field scoring Chayton Krauss to expand the lead to 12-0. Borberg would then give way to Nick Bonn on the mound, who would close out the game with two strikeouts to invoke the run-rule and give DBU the series sweep over the Gamecocks. 
 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- This is the first sweep of a road series for the Patriots since they swept a series against Florida International on April 26-28, 2024. 
- Grant Jay extended his streak of reaching base safely to 37 consecutive games dating back to June 1, 2024. 
- Seven out of the nine hitters in the DBU lineup recorded at least one hit this afternoon.
 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
4 - Joey Nerat drew a career high four walks this afternoon, the most walks drawn by a Patriot since Cole Moore on May 26, 2022 against Bradley. 

6 - Ryan Borberg tossed a career-high six innings on the mound this afternoon. 
7 - The Patriots delivered seven hits with two outs this afternoon. 
 

UP NEXT
The Patriots turn their attention towards a key midweek matchup against TCU. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM at Lupton Stadium.