JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – In its final non-conference game before opening Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend, Jacksonville State fell to instate opponent UAB.
 
UAB only had three hits all afternoon, but the Blazers left University Field with a 3-0 win over Jacksonville State thanks in large part to the home run ball.
 
UAB (8-16) hit two home runs as Kelly Britt had a solo shot in the second before JoJo Fallen clubbed a two-run home run an inning later. Britt added a fourth-inning single to end the Blazers' night in the hit column as Whitney Gillespie had a terrific start in the circle for Jacksonville State.
 
In just her second start back from offseason surgery, the sophomore went a season-high seven innings and tied her career-high with seven strikeouts. She allowed only three hits and issued two walks after facing 27 batters and threw 101 pitches. Her career-high in strikeouts was set against Virginia Tech and Virginia on Feb. 13 and 20, 2015 respectively.
 
For Jacksonville State (9-13) offensively, Ella Denes, Taylor Sloan, Stephanie Lewis, Jamie McGuire and Jordan Bullock all record singles for the Gamecocks, but the Gamecocks left four runners on base as UAB's Cara Goodwin tossed a complete game shutout.
Goodwin struck out seven Gamecocks and surrendered five hits on 102 pitches.
 
Jacksonville State will return to action Saturday as the Gamecocks play host to conference opponent Tennessee Tech. The two teams will play a double-header Saturday with the first game scheduled to start 1 p.m. and the second to follow 30 minutes after.