OXFORD – Jacksonville State sophomore left hander Derrick Adams silenced a prolific Tennessee Tech offense on Friday night for eight innings and matched his career best in strikeouts to lead JSU to a 7-2 series-opening victory over Tech.

The win pushed Jax State's overall record to 16-11 and moved to the .500 mark (5-5)  in OVC play.  The win also handed the Golden Eagles (24-8) their first setback of the season as strung together 12 consecutive wins entering the weekend at Choccolocco Park.  The series continues on Saturday and Sunday with both games starting at 1 p.m.

Adams was sensational on the mound as he lasted in to the ninth, vying for a complete game performance, but was lifted in the final frame after TTU had a leadoff infield single.  The Decatur, Alabama native was touched for just two runs in the outing and one earned run against Tech, who started the weekend hitting .336 against OVC pitching.  Adams scattered eight hits in the outing and did not give up a walk.  His Friday night mirrored his outing against Western Kentucky on February 26 as he went seven innings and fanned 10 Hilltoppers.  He established new career standards against Tech with his eight innings and 10 strikeouts.

Redshirt junior Justin Hoyt relieved Adams in the ninth and struck out the side to combine for 13 strikeouts by JSU pitching on the night.  The 13 strikeouts by Tech matched a season high for the Purple and Gold. 

Tech's two runs came in the fourth inning as Chase Chambers singled through the left side, scoring the first run of the contest.  TTU pushed the second run home on a passed ball.
JSU erased the two-run deficit in the fifth after a two-out fly ball to right field by freshman Chase Robinson was mishandled, scoring sophomore Nic Gaddis and Clayton Daniel, who put together back-to-back singles off of TTU starter Michael Wood. 

The Gamecocks took a 4-2 lead in the sixth on senior A.J. Reynold's two RBI double to gap in right center.  Reynolds finished the night 2-for-4 at the plate as he was credited with another double that started the eighth with a double.  After posting eight runs in the eighth on Tuesday against UAB, JSU continued scoring in the late innings.  JSU Head Coach Jim Case gave Gaddis the squeeze bunt play on and he perfected the play with the RBI bunt to push the lead to 5-2.

JSU put the contest out of reach after a two-run home run by Robinson to right field.  It was the first career home run for the Pell City, Alabama product.

Daniel joined Reynolds with multiple hits in the contest as his first hit of the night was the 200^th of his career.  He became the 15^th Gamecock all-time to reach the 200 career hits plateau.

Saturday's contest will be carried on the Gamecock Sports Network with air time at 12:40. JSU will send junior right hander Colton Pate to the mound, while Tech will counter with Jake Usher.

Admission is free to all JSU students and all fans 18 years old and younger.