MARTIN, Tenn. – Jacksonville State powered its way to its seventh Ohio Valley Conference series win with a 20-2 series-deciding win over UT Martin on Monday afternoon at Skyhawk Field.

The Gamecocks bounced back from a 4-2 setback on Sunday to UTM after they claimed the series opener, 4-2, on Saturday.  Jax State has now posted series wins over UTM in 15 of the 16 seasons, including nine straight on Skyhawk Field.  JSU improved to 26-21 on the season and move into a tie for first place with Austin Peay.  Both clubs have a 16-8 OVC mark with six league games left on the schedule.

After stranding 13 base runners in Saturday's setback and two early runs in the first inning, JSU converted run-scoring opportunities early and often.  The Gamecocks, who had eight home runs in an OVC contest at Eastern Kentucky, belted five home runs against UTM.  Sophomore Isaac Alexander started the home run barrage with a two-out three-run home run.  His second home run of the season was the first of a three-hit outing for the shortstop from Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  Alexander added a single in the third inning and a single in JSU's four-run sixth.  He turned in his second three-hit game of the season and the second multi-RBI contest of the season.  Junior Andrew Naismith followed Alexander with a solo home run to right center.  It's the second time this season the Gamecocks have turned in back-to-back home runs this season.  JSU posted back-to-back home runs on March 31 to complete the sweep of Tennessee Tech.  Naismith joined Alexander with a three-hit day at the plate with an RBI single in a five-run seventh and base hit in his final at bat. 

JSU's third home run in the first two innings was recorded by freshman Carson Crowe in the second inning.  It was his sixth of the season with all of them coming off OVC pitching.

After the Skyhawks posted their two runs in the third off redshirt sophomore Dylan Hathcock.  Hathcock had another good outing for the second consecutive weekend with four-plus innings of work.  The Tallassee, Alabama lefty scattered seven hits and tallied four strikeouts.  Junior Corley Woods entered with a pair of Skyhawks in scoring position, but Woods worked out of the jam without allowing a run.  Woods tossed two innings and notched the win.  He moved to 5-0 on the season.

Jax State expanded the lead with a three-run fourth frame, highlighted by an RBI by sophomore Cole Frederick and junior Alex Webb.  Frederick turned in a two-hit day with a two-run home run in the sixth to put the game out of reach.  Sophomore Alex Strachan and junior Chase Robinson registered RBI in inning.

The Gamecocks expanded in the seventh as they went through the order, scoring five runs on two hits.  Junior Taylor Craven and junior Tre Kirklin capped off JSU's scoring with a two-run home run in the eighth by Craven and a three-run dinger in the ninth for Kirklin.  Kirklin finished the series with two home runs and six total hits.

While the offense was producing runs, the JSU bullpen held UTM to one hit over the final five innings.  Redshirt junior Tyler Wilburn, junior Jackson Tavel worked a clean inning each, while senior Cody Willingham finished the game.

JSU returns home for the final five home dates of the season, beginning on Wednesday against No. 8 Georgia.  The Southeastern Conference foe wraps up a home-and-home between the two clubs after JSU visited Athens, Georgia in March.  First pitch on Wednesday on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m.  The Gamecocks will host SIU Edwardsville in its final home series of the season.