FINAL STATS

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman Allison Svoboda's first career home run capped a 4-0 win for the Jacksonville State softball team in a rain shortened matchup with North Dakota State on Friday night at the University of Tennessee Softball Classic.

Svoboda, a native of Gardendale, Ala., belted a three-run homer to the gap in right center to give the Gamecocks (10-4) a 4-0 lead over the Bison (8-4) in the fifth before the rains fell and forced the game to be cut short. It was JSU's second win on a day that originally had the Gamecocks playing one game but changed because of expected rain over the weekend.

Junior Nikki Prier went 2-for-4 for the Gamecocks and drove in their other run on an RBI single in the home half of the third. Junior Chrissy O'Neal, senior Allie Barker and freshman Meredith Sellers each had one hit for the JSU offense.

Senior Melissa Dowling (4-0) pitched five shutout innings for the Gamecocks to earn the win in the circle. The Bradenton, Fla., native struck out three and allowed four hits.

Andi Padilla (5-2) allowed four runs on six hits in 4.2 innings in the circle to take the loss for NDSU. She walked four batters and struck out three before the rains fell and forced the game to be called early. Melissa Chmielewski went 2-for-2 to account for half of the Bison's offense.

The Gamecocks are scheduled to play No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday, but the weather could force more changes in the schedule. Any updates will be posted on www.jsugamecocksports.com.