CARY, N.C. — When the tide began to turn against the University of West Florida in the fourth inning on Thursday, reliever Zach Jadofsky couldn't have been a more effective stopgap.
Stepping in for starter Ben Hawkins in a tough spot — a 3-1 deficit with two runners on base and one out in the fourth — Jadofsky retired the first eight hitters he faced. And after 3.2 innings, Jadofsky scattered just a walk and a hit without allowing a run to score.
And while at-bats continued to come up empty for UWF in the middle innings, Jadofsky breezed through the Mount Olive lineup swiftly, giving his teammates a chance to get back up and try it again. It was a critical piece of the Argonauts' come-from-behind 5-3 win in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division II College World Series.
"I think the momentum was brought back to our side when Jadofsky went out there. He did a tremendous job," UWF coach Mike Jeffcoat said. "When he was having those quick 1-2-3 innings, he was getting the offense back out there. You could feel the momentum building. It wasn't long innings out on defense, and that was huge."
The outing was made more impressive considering Jadofsky's circumstances. He was the only UWF player to miss significant time with an injury this season, sidelined for six weeks in February and March with an oblique injury. He also battled on Thursday through a sinus bug, one that has moved through part of the UWF team this week.
But Jadofsky was tapped by Jeffcoat as the first pitcher out of the bullpen if Hawkins were to struggle thanks to his late-season heroics.
Including Thursday, Jadofsky has given up three hits, two walks and has not allowed a run in 11.1 postseason innings.
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