BOX SCORE

TAMPA, Fla. – The Jacksonville State softball team broke out its bats in big way on Friday night, when the Gamecocks cruised to a 21-1 rout of Florida A&M on the first day of the University of South Florida The Game Tournament.

The Gamecocks (6-2) used a 12-run first inning and a 20-hit attack to post their most productive single game since March 12, 2004. After entering the game with just one home run and 27 runs scored on the season, they homered three times and posted the 21 runs in a five-inning mercy-rule win over the Rattlers (3-4).

Junior Nikki Prier tied the school record for RBI in a game with six, a mark she hit by the third inning. The Raleigh, N.C., native became the third JSU player to drive in a half dozen runs in a game after a bases loaded walk in the first, a grand slam in the second and a run-scoring double in the third. She was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks and three runs scored in the game.

Senior Allie Barker went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in the first and a run-scoring single in the third to drive in three runs. The Gadsden, Ala., native moved into a tie with teammate Chrissy O'Neal for fifth on the school's career home runs list with her 24th career round tripper.

While Barker was moving towards the top of the career list, junior Hillary Downs was putting her name on the list. The Childersburg, Ala., native and transfer from Central Alabama Community College hit her first career homer to lead off the third. She also doubled and singled in her 3-for-3 night that saw her score three times and drive in two runs.

Nine JSU players scattered the Gamecocks' 20 hits, with junior Chrissy O'Neal leading the way. The Dallas, Ga., native was 4-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Eight Gamecocks drove in at least one run, while six players drove in at least two in the game. It was just the fourth time in school history that a JSU team has scored 20 or more ruins in a game.

While the Gamecocks bats were at work, senior Kayla Collins (1-1) was busy holding the FAMU offense at bay. The first time through the order, the Niceville, Fla., native faced the minimum nine batters and struck out seven. She finished the night allowing an unearned run on one hit, while fanning eight batters in four innings of work. Sophomore Ashley Eliasson pitched the final inning, walking one and striking out two.

Amanda Reyes (2-3) suffered the loss for FAMU after giving up nine runs on nine hits in two and two-thirds innings in the circle. Rhiana Green had the Rattlers' only hit, a double in the fourth inning.

The Gamecocks will continue play in the tournament on Saturday, when they play Louisville at 10:30 a.m. and Rhode Island at 3 p.m. CT.