JACKSONVILLE – It took Jacksonville State 10 innings, but the Gamecocks picked up a drama-filled 2-1 win over UT Martin to open a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at University Field.
 
The Gamecocks (4-9, 3-1 OVC) broke up a no-hitter in the seventh to extend the game with the Skyhawks, rode an impressive pitching performance from senior Nicole Rodriguez and scored on a two-out error in the 10^th to hand the Skyhawks (9-5, 1-3 OVC) the defeat.
 
Rodriguez (2-1) had stellar control over her career-long 10-inning outing, holding the Skyhawks to a run on seven hits over the complete game. She didn't issue a walk and struck out nine in a game that saw her throw 105 of her 141 pitches for strikes.
 
The Skyhawks struck first in the top of the fourth, when Kaitlyn Kelly's line drive on the first pitch bounced off and over the top of the fence in right center field to give UTM a 1-0 lead.
 
The Gamecocks couldn't get anything going offensively over the first six innings and entered the seventh without recording a hit against UTM starter Erin Gallagher. Megan Fortner drew a one-out walk, setting the stage for what would be the first dramatic moment for JSU.
 
Jada Terry lifted a 1-2 pitch into deep left-center field, where it fell just short of clearing the wall. Pinch runner Keeli Bobbitt scored easily from first on Terry's double, tying the game and sending it into extra innings.
 
Neither team threatened in the eighth, and the Gamecocks had a threat in the ninth, but the lead runner was thrown out rounding third on a play at first to send the game to the 10^th.
 
The Skyhawks seemed to be poised to reclaim the lead in the 10^th, but back-to-back calls of the batter stepping out of the box during the swing negated a double and a grounder and brought JSU to the plate again with a chance to win it in the home half of the inning.
 
Karsen Mosley and Alexus Jimmerson led off the inning with back-to-back singles and Caroline Lively bunted them over to set up runners at second and third with one out. A strike out of pinch hitter Lindsey Richardson brought up Savannah Sudduth. UTM third baseman Kallie Pickens couldn't get Sudduth's two hopper out of her glove in time to make a throw, allowing Mosley to score the game winning run.
 
Gallagher threw 6 and 1/3 innings of one-hit softball before being pulled after Terry's game-tying hit. She struck out five and walked two. Alexis Groet (2-1) suffered the loss in relief, surrendering a run on three hits in 3 and 1/3 innings in the circle. She struck out three.
 
UTM's Shyanne Sheffield was 3-for-4 to lead the Skyhawks at the plate.
 
The Gamecocks and Skyhawks will wrap up the three-game series on Saturday with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at University Field. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and admission is free for JSU Students and all fans ages 18 and under.