FINAL STATS

MARTIN, Tenn. – A late offensive outburst by UT Martin handed the Jacksonville State softball team an 8-0 loss and an Ohio Valley Conference series loss to the Skyhawks on Saturday.

Freshman Tiffany Harbin retired the first 10 Skyhawks (28-20, 15-8 OVC) she faced before a Chelsea Cary home run broke the drought and started a five-run fourth inning. The Gamecocks (34-13, 19-5 OVC) would surrender three more in the fifth to suffer their first mercy-rule loss in league play since April 1, 2007.

JSU managed just two hits, one apiece from sophomore Kelci Johnston and senior Amanda Crow, in the loss. It was the second win in as many days for UTM pitcher Amanda Brandenburg (9-2), who struck out three and walked three in five innings in the circle.

Harbin (21-7) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in 3.1 innings of work before giving way to senior Ashley Eliasson, who was tagged for five runs, four earned, on three hits and three walks in one inning.

Laurie Lindow went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI to lead the Skyhawks to their first series win over JSU in seven years. The weekend marked the first time that UTM has beaten JSU more than once in a season since 2004.

JSU will play a non-conference game on Wednesday at Alabama State in Montgomery, Ala., at 6 p.m.