JACKSONVILLE – A six-run sixth inning propelled Jacksonville State to a split in the Saturday doubleheader with Morehead State with a 9-5 win in the nightcap on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

The Gamecock (19-19, 9-8 OVC) bounced back from a 3-0 setback to the Eagles (19-15, 9-5 OVC) in the opening game of the series. JSU's win forces a rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available online at JSUGamecockSports.com. All JSU students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.

After a lengthy rain delay caused by a strong thunderstorm that produced hail on to the playing surface in the fourth inning, the Gamecocks rallied from a three-run, 5-2, deficit with six two-out runs in the sixth inning. JSU strung together four consecutive hits with two outs that was sparked by a pinch hit two-run single by Derrick Jackson, Jr. Jackson's hit was contagious as senior Alex Webb followed with an RBI single. Senior Jaylyn Williams added an infield single along with a throwing error by MSU to extend the frame. Redshirt junior Nash Adams pushed the sixth run across the plate with a double to the gap in left centerfield.

Freshman Camden Lovrich entered the contest on the mound after the rain delay and quieted the Eagles for 3.1 innings without giving up a hit. Lovrich posted a career-high five strikeouts en route to picking up the win in relief. Senior Corley Woods tossed two clean innings to earn his sixth save of the season.

Webb led JSU's 13-hit barrage with three hits on the night with a triple short of hitting for the cycle. He put JSU on the board for the first time on Saturday with a home run in the first inning. He added a double in his second at bat before his RBI single in the sixth. Adams finished with a two-hit contest with a solo home run in the eighth to pad JSU's lead. Junior Cole Frederick and Williams both had multiple hits in the second contest.

In the opener, the Eagles used three home runs for the scoring in the contest, including two by Jackson Feltner. Junior Christian Edwards highlighted the series opener as he was sharp on the mound for seven innings. Edwards scattered eight hits and allowed one run in the outing and finished with 11 strikeouts in the loss. The Gamecocks struggled to give Edwards run support for the second consecutive series opener. Last week against EKU, JSU dropped a 1-0 decision as Edwards collected 10 strikeouts versus the Colonels. In his last three starts in OVC games, Edwards has accumulated 25 strikeouts.

Sophomore Carson Crowe was the lone Gamecock to have multiple hits against Eagle pitching in the opener. Jax State stranded nine base runners in the first game.

Junior Colin Casey will start on the mound in the series finale on Sunday.