JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State collected its second series win on its home turf with a 7-2 win over Belmont in the rubber game of the pivotal Ohio Valley Conference weekend series on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium on Sunday.

The Gamecocks and Bruins split a Saturday doubleheader with Jax State (15-15, 7-5 OVC) claiming the opening game, 8-4, before BU (13-16, 7-8 OVC) forced the deciding game with a 5-3 decision in the nightcap.

Behind another solid start at home for junior Colin Casey and three runs in the first two frames, JSU put together a complete game. Casey, who last pitched on the mound on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium back on March 27 as a member of a Gamecock trio that turned in a no-hitter, turned in five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits. Dating back to his outing against Tennessee Tech on March 27, the Jacksonville, Alabama native put together a string of 12 consecutive scoreless innings. Casey's final line would be 5.1 innings of work, a pair of runs and three strikeouts to pick up his third win of the season.

Jax State's offense gave him a lead to work with as it manufactured a run in the first inning and expanded the lead with a two-run second. Senior Alex Webb had the first of his three hits on the day in the opening frame as he delivered an RBI single. The Gamecocks took advantage of a Bruin fielding miscue for the second run of the game, followed by an RBI groundout by senior Tre Kirklin.

The JSU expanded in the fifth inning with three runs across the dish, highlighted by an Alex Carignan RBI single and a Ramirez RBI double. Junior Cole Frederick added the third RBI on a groundout.

BU's two runs came in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Logan Jarvis. Freshman Jake Peppers held the Bruins from cutting into the JSU lead any further by recording the final two outs in the inning. Senior Kyle Luigs registered two clean innings to close out the game.

Carignan joined Webb with multiple hits in the victory with a single in his first plate appearance. Frederick finished the day with two hits at the top of the lineup card, while Nash Adams had an RBI double in the sixth to answer BU's scoring in the top half. Sophomore Carson Crowe reached base four times with a single and three walks, including two intentional free passes.

The Gamecocks return to action on Tuesday, April 13 hosting Kennesaw State for the final time as a non-conference opponent. Next season, the two clubs will be conference members in the ASUN. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. Tickets are available online at JSUGamecockSports.com and at the stadium ticket office. All JSU students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free.