JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville State offense came alive late in Sunday's series finale with Jacksonville State, but it wasn't enough as JSU fell 16-7 to the Dolphins at John Sessions Stadium.
The win by JU capped off a weekend sweep after winning 2-1 on Friday night and taking a 5-2 win on Saturday. JU evened its season mark to 3-3, while the Gamecocks dropped to 2-5 early in the season.
The Dolphins started strong with a four-run first and a two-run second to put Jax State in come-from-behind mode early. JSU starter
Isaiah Magwood went one inning before being lifted in the second inning. He was one of seven pitchers used by the Gamecocks.
JSU registered its first run of the day in the fourth as sophomore
Isaac Alexander delivered a two-out RBI single to left centerfield. Alexander finished with a pair of hits in the contest.
JU extended the lead with 10 runs over the next three innings to take a commanding lead, but JSU fought back with three runs in the eighth and a trio of runs in the ninth.
Freshman
Brook Brannon started the eighth with a single and scored on
Nash Adams' triple to the gap in right centerfield. Junior
Tre Kirklin had an RBI sacrifice fly for the second run of the frame before sophomore
Alex Strachan posted a pinch hit solo home run to centerfield.
In the Jax State ninth, it strung together four hits, highlighted by junior
Taylor Craven's second home run as a Gamecock to start the inning. Brannon, who entered the game in the sixth, singled for the second consecutive at bat and stole second in the inning. Freshman
Carson Crowe doubled Brannon home for the second run. Senior
Nic Gaddis, who has reached base in all seven games this season, kept the game alive with an RBI double. Gaddis joined Alexander and Brannon with multiple hits in the setback and reached base three times.
Dakota Julylia led the JU lineup with a 5-for-5 day at the dish and driving in five runs.
JSU's road swing continues in the midweek with a trip to Birmingham to face the Blazers of UAB on Tuesday at Regions Field. The Gamecocks travel to Troy on Wednesday before returning home for a three-game weekend series with Florida International. Tuesday's first pitch is set for 4 p.m. at the home of the Birmingham Barons.
