JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville State softball team dropped the final game of its three-game series against Southern Miss on Sunday, 6-4 at University Field.
 
The Golden Eagles (9-6) grabbed their third-straight win over the Gamecocks (9-4) in the weekend series, snapping JSU's six-game win streak entering the weekend. It's the first time JSU has lost three in a row at home since March of 2013.
 
USM got two runs in the top of the first and never looked back, getting a stellar relief performance from Jade Lewis. The designated hitter in the Golden Eagles' starting lineup took over for starter Peyton Carter with one out in the third and held JSU scoreless on just two hits over the final 4.2 innings to grab her first win of the season.
 
JSU starter Faith Sims took the loss after allowing the first two runs on three hits before being pulled in the first.
 
JSU managed nine hits against the Golden Eagles on Sunday, with Emily Woodruff, Jamie McGuire and Hayley Sims each recording a pair. McGuire and Anna Chisolm homered in the loss, while McGuire also had a double.
 
After falling behind 2-0 in the first JSU got one back in the second on a Sims RBI single through the right side. USM Answered, though, plating three in the third to pull out to a 5-1 lead.
 
The Gamecocks cut the deficit to one in the home half of the third, thanks to Chisolm's solo blast and a two-run shot from McGuire that chased Carter and brought Lewis into the circle.
 
A USM homer in the sixth put the deciding 6-4 advantage on the scoreboard.
 
JSU returns to action Friday at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, where they will open the event against Southeastern Louisiana at 8:30 a.m. CT.