JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville scored three runs fourth en route to a 5-2 win on Saturday over Jacksonville State at JU's John Sessions Stadium.
With the win, the Dolphins (2-4) claimed ty night series after walking off with a 2-1 decision on Friday night. The Gamecocks (2-4) will look to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday at 12 p.m. CST.
Jax State starter
Trey Fortner skirted around trouble in the first three innings before getting key outs, but ran in to trouble in the fourth after a leadoff single followed by a hit by a pitch. A walk loaded the bases prior to Duncan Hunter's RBI single through the right side. A JSU fielding miscue opened the door for JU to add two more runs in the frame off Fortner. Redshirt junior induced a double play to get the Gamecocks out of the frame.
The Dolphins manufactured a run in the fifth, scoring the run on a wild pitch.
For the second consecutive contest, Jax State struggled against JU pitchers. Dolphin starter Trent Palmer tossed six no-hit innings and picked up a win. Palmer tallied seven of the nine Jax State strikeouts. The Gamecocks were limited to a pair of base runners against Palmer – both via walks.
JU went to the bullpen to start the seventh and the first two Gamecocks reached base. Senior
Nic Gaddis opened the frame by being hit by a pitch from JU's Austin Temple, followed by a walk issued to
Isaac Alexander. Junior
Andrew Naismith connected in JSU's first hit of the game with a single to right field, pushing Gaddis across the plate and Alexander to third. Gaddis Naismith was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the single to a double. Sophomore
Cole Frederick recorded an RBI with a ground out to the shortstop. Junior Tre has reached base in all six game this season. Kirklin added JSU's second hit with a two-out single.
JU extended the lead with an RBI in the eighth.
Sunday's series finale will be available via Facebook Live on JU's athletics Facebook page, along with audio and live stats. All three links are available at JSUGamecockSports.com.
