JACKSONVILLE – Eastern Kentucky pounded out 23 hits and scored 19 runs off of Jacksonville State pitching to take the opening game of the three-game series 19-13 on Friday night at Rudy Abbott Field.

The 23 hits allowed is the most by the Gamecocks this season, while the 19 runs were also the most scored on Jax State this season.  The loss drops JSU to 28-18 overall and 16-6 in OVC play.  The win pushed EKU's winning streak to five games and improved to 22-25 on the season and 11-11 in conference games.  The two teams return to the diamond on Saturday with first pitch set for 1 p.m.  

After suffering its first loss on the opening day of a conference series, JSU will look to even the series on Saturday.  JSU will send junior righthander Joe McGuire to the mound in his first start of the season and the first in the Oxford, Alabama native's career.

EKU used the long ball in the contest with five massive home runs on the night, including two each by Mandy Alvarez and Kenny Holstrander.  The duo combined for 10 of EKU's hits and 10 RBI together. Kyle Nowlin also had a home run in the contest and a pair of RBI.  Alvarez matched JSU's Gavin Golson's record for hits in a game as he was a perfect 7-for-7 at the plate.  Alvarez finished with five singles and drove in six runs.

No lead was safe in a rare Friday night slugfest as EKU jumped on top 3-0 through two at bats before the Gamecocks rallied in the second with a five two-out runs to grab a 5-3 lead.  The Colonels reclaimed the lead at 6-5 with a four-run fourth before JSU answered with two more in the fourth to take a 7-6 lead.

The Colonels would plate 10 runs in the next two innings, including a six-run sixth to take a 16-9 lead heading to the home half of the sixth.  JSU reached double figures on the scoreboard with an RBI double by Elliot McCummings.

EKU's Brandon Smither limited JSU to just a pair of hits and a run in his four innings of relief work.  Smither picked up the win, while freshman Garrett Farmer was saddled with the loss.  Smither held JSU scoreless until the ninth as JSU added three runs in the final at bat.  Senior Graham Officer lasted four innings and was touched for six runs on eight hits.
JSU's offense wasn't shabby with 11 runs on 16 hits.  Sophomore Clayton Daniel, who has hit safely in all 22 OVC games, pushed his hitting streak to 22 straight games with a 3-for-5 night at the plate, including a pair of doubles and two RBI.

Junior Josh Bobo also had a three-hit night at the plate and nearly missed his 11^th home run of the season.  Junior AJ. Reynolds produced four RBI in the setback, while Golsan, Hayden White and Paschal Petrongolo had multiple hits in the game as well.

Saturday's game will be available on the Gamecock Sports Network.