JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State christened its new stadium with a decisive 14-1 win over in-state rival North Alabama on Opening Day of the 2019 season.

Friday marked the Gamecocks return to campus after a two-year hiatus to Oxford, Alabama and Choccolocco Park while the new Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium was being constructed over the past two seasons.  The last time Jax State played on campus was in May, 2016.  Not even an overcast day and threat of rain dampened the excitement surrounding the opening of the state-of-the-art, multi-million stadium as 1,112 witnessed on offensive outburst by the Gamecocks. 

Jax State collected nine extra base hits out if its 14 total hits on the day, including a trio of home runs.  Senior catcher Nic Gaddis proved early why he was named a preseason all-conference selection and a preseason All-American as he belted a pair of two-run home runs.  It marks the second time in two seasons that the Trenton, Georgia native has turned in a multi-home run day as he posted two home runs last season at Morehead State.  Junior transfer Taylor Craven recorded his first home run as a Gamecock with a two-run blast in the sixth.  Gaddis' first home run of the day started the scoring for JSU in the first and his second extended the lead in the fourth.  He finished the day with four RBI.  Jax State tallied a pair of RBI triples, one each by sophomore Isaac Alexander and junior Chase Robinson.  Robinson finished with two RBI. 

The last time JSU played at Rudy Abbott Field in 2016, it was the top doubles-producing team in NCAA Division I Baseball, the 2019 club is off to a great start in that category with four doubles.  Junior Andrew Naismith collected two of the four doubles, while junior transfer Alex Webb and redshirt freshman Nash Adams accounted for the other doubles.  Jax State had five new faces register first hits in a Red and White uniform, led by junior transfer and leadoff hitter Tre Kirklin and Adams.  Kirklin and Adams tallied two hits each and combined for three RBI.

While the JSU offense was posting nine runs in the first four frames, redshirt junior Garrett Farmer kept the Lions' bats silent except for an RBI single in the second inning.  Farmer, who made his second career start on Opening Day, held UNA to three hits in five innings of work to secure the win.  The Huntsville, Alabama product carded six strikeouts and walked one.  The duo of senior Austin Brewster and junior Alex London combined to hold UNA to one hit over the final four innings.  Brewster posted a pair of strikeouts, while London fanned three.

The season-opening series with UNA continues on Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch.  Freshman Isaiah Magwood, from Hazel Green, Alabama will make his pitching debut.  The contest will be available on ESPN+ and on the Gamecock Sports Network.  Tickets are available online at JSUGamecockSports.com.