GAME COVERAGE
Tuesday vs. Samford
Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats
Wednesday vs. Alabama State
Live Video | Live Audio | Live StatsJACKSONVILLE - After moving to 9-0 in Ohio Valley Conference play with a three-game sweep at Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State will step out of conference this week for a five-game non-conference week, beginning on Tuesday against Samford. First Pitch at Rudy Abbott Field is set for 6 p.m.
JSU (16-6) will host Alabama State (16-10) on Wednesday at 6 p.m. before trekking back to the state of Illinois for a three-game set with the Salukis of Southern Illinois this weekend. Admission is free for JSU students and all fans ages 18 and under. Both midweek contests will be available on the OVC Digital Network and on the Gamecock Sports Network.
JSU is coming off its third consecutive OVC weekend sweep as the Gamecocks topped Eastern Illinois 6-4 in the opening game and claimed the series on Friday with a 10-3 win. Jax State finished off the sweep with a 4-3 decision on Saturday.
It will be the second meeting of the season between the former conference rivals as the Bulldogs (13-11) claimed a 10-7 win last Tuesday in Birmingham. The Gamecocks also dropped the first of three meetings with the Hornets back on March 2 at Rudy Abbott Field.
JSU looks to close out the month of March on a high note with its final two games of the month against the Bulldogs and Hornets. The Gamecocks are 13-3 in the month of March and has hit .307 at the plate and scored 132 runs (8.3 runs per game) on 182 hits. JSU has collected 69 extra bases, including 44 doubles. The JSU pitching staff has an earned run average of 4.78 in 145 innings pitched. JSU has struck out 115 and walked 62 during the month and allowed 77 earned runs. Opposing teams are hitting .275 against Gamecock pitchers in the month of March.
Through the first 22 games of the season, Jax State ranks among the OVC leaders in many offensive categories. The Gamecocks enter the week ranked fourth in the conference in batting average at .305 and listed fourth in pitching with an earned run average of 5.07. In conference games-only, JSU leads the conference in batting average (.340), slugging percentage (.547), runs scored (90) and hits (115). The Red and White rank second in the OVC in RBI (78) and home runs (11). In the first nine games of the OVC slate, JSU pitchers have the fourth-best ERA in the conference at 4.11.
The Gamecocks ranked among the NCAA Division I leaders in doubles and doubles per game. Entering the week, JSU ranks sixth in doubles per game with an average of 2.55 per game. The Gamecocks and Austin Peay are tied for the OVC lead in the category. JSU is listed 12th in the nation in total doubles. OVC foe Murray State is the nation's leader in doubles with 66.
JSU is one of five teams in NCAA Division I Baseball to start conference play at 9-0 (Southeast Missouri, Alabama State, Southeast Louisiana and South Alabama). Entering Tuesday's game with Samford, Jax State had a top-100 RPI. The Gamecocks are 96th in WarrenNolan.com's RPI rankings.
