JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Jacksonville Dolphins erupted for eight runs in a chaotic first inning and cruised to a 16-3 victory over the Rhode Island Rams in the season opener for both teams Friday at John Sessions Stadium.

The game was effectively decided in the opening frame, as Jacksonville sent 14 batters to the plate against two Rhode Island pitchers. The Dolphins turned a 3-0 deficit into an 8-3 lead, a surge powered by two home runs from Connor Walter.

Walter, the Dolphins’ leadoff hitter, began the onslaught with a solo shot to right field. After Jacksonville loaded the bases and plated two more runs on a fielder’s choice and a two-run double by Cole Spelman, Walter came to bat again later in the inning. With the bases loaded, he launched a grand slam to right-center field, his second homer of the inning, to cap the eight-run outburst.

Rhode Island, which had taken its brief lead on three unearned runs in the top of the first, never recovered. The Rams managed just seven hits and grounded into three double plays, stifling any potential rallies.

Jacksonville continued to add on, scoring two in the second inning on a triple and a passed ball, and then breaking the game open with a five-run fourth. That inning was highlighted by a two-run single from Danny Bermudez and featured three unearned runs following a Rhode Island error.

The Dolphins finished with 13 hits. Walter’s five-RBI day led the offense, while Bermudez drove in three. RJ Vergara went 3-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored, and Spelman added two doubles.

Rhode Island’s offense was quiet until the seventh inning, when they scored their final two runs on an RBI single from Ryan Henschel and a run that came home on a double play grounder. Henschel and Aidan Botti each had pinch-hit singles in the inning.

Jacksonville starter Alex Walsh earned the win, pitching four-plus innings and allowing three unearned runs on five hits. Rhode Island starter Ben Perry took the loss, recording just one out while being charged with seven runs.

With the victory, Jacksonville begins its season 1-0. Rhode Island starts 0-1. The teams are scheduled to continue their series with a doubleheader on Saturday.

Key Fact: Connor Walter’s two home runs in the same inning, including a grand slam, accounted for five of Jacksonville’s eight first-inning runs and set the tone for the lopsided victory.