JACKSONVILLE – Juniors Paschal Petrongolo and Elliot McCummings combined for six hits and seven RBIs in Jacksonville State's 18-4 rout of in-state rival Troy on Wednesday evening at Rudy Abbott Field.

The win pushed the Gamecocks' overall mark to 7-6 overall and snapped a modest three-game losing skid as they enter their first Ohio Valley Conference road test this weekend at Austin Peay.  The Trojans suffered their eighth consecutive loss and fell to 7-10 on the season.  The win also marked the third straight over Troy, which matches the longest winning streak by JSU since taking three consecutive games from the Trojans in 1991.  The 18 runs matches the most runs scored by the Gamecocks against Troy.  JSU posted 18 runs twice against the Trojans during the 1971 season.

The Gamecocks started the scoring onslaught early with four early runs off of Troy starter, Cody Hughes.  Hughes couldn't get out of the first as he was touched for three hits and four earned runs in the frame.  Petrongolo was the last batter he faced as he laced a two-run double to right center.  McCummings also had a double in the frame, plating Tyler Gamble, who reached on a single to left.

Troy posted its first of two runs off of Jax State left hander Jack Pierce in the third.  Pierce, making his collegiate debut was sharp on the hill in his four innings of work.  The Pelham, Alabama freshman allowed just two Trojan runs, only one earned run and posted three strike outs.  He picked up his first win in a Gamecock uniform.  JSU pitching was solid throughout the midweek contest as Michael McCreeless, Jesse Fry and Michael Barber combined to allow just three Troy hits the rest of the way.

JSU broke open the contest as it would plate eight runs in the third and six in the fourth.  The eight-run third was highlighted by six hits by the Red and White, including RBI singles from Gavin Golsan, Clayton Daniel.  Petrongolo had the big hit in the inning with a bases clearing triple and then scored an errant throw from the right fielder.

In the Jax State fourth, it was another McCummings hit that ignited the inning.  He would score on Taylor Hawthorne's two-run blast to right.  It was Hawthorne's second home run of the season as he finished the night 2-for-5 and three runs driven in.  Hayden White and Petrongolo also had extra base hits in the inning as White doubled down the right field line and scored on Petrongolo's double to left.  The Blackwood, New Jersey-product drove in four runs and reached base four times. 

Troy added two runs in the sixth on a home run off the bat of David Hall.

JSU and APSU will start the three-game series on Friday, March 13 at Raymond C. Hand Park.  First pitch is set for 6 p.m.  All three games will be available on the Gamecock Sports Network with Mike Parris calling all the action.