MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Jacksonville State softball team put up five runs in the final three innings to fight back for a road win at Morehead State on Sunday to begin a three-game road series.
The Gamecocks (18-20, 16-10 Ohio Valley Conference) took advantage three late errors by the host Eagles who fall to 2-19 in OVC action with the loss. MSU out-hit JSU 8-6, but starting pitcher Lennon Spicer didn't get much help behind her as only one of the five runs she allowed were earned.
Hannah Brown was credited with her fourth win of the season in the circle for JSU, after coming in to relieve starter
Reagan Watkins in the fourth. The Gamecock offense wasn't able to put a run up until the fifth, but JSU made it count when Eagle errors opened the door in the final frames.
After MSU tripled to begin the bottom of the first, a walk and a couple of singles plated the first run of the day to give the Eagles the early lead. The inning was salvaged defensively as the Gamecocks registered two of their three outs on plates at the plate including a throw in from the outfield, and catching MSU is a rundown between home and third base.
Watkins kept MSU quiet from there on through the next two innings, but the Gamecocks were equally as stymied in their at-bats. A one-out walk in the fourth signaled the end of the day for Watkins to give way to Brown, who gave up a single to start, but got out of the frame by retiring the next two hitters.
Karsen Mosley got things going in the top of the fifth with a walk. The then stole second, and with two-outs came around to tie the game at 1-1 after
Chaney Phillips reached on an error. The Eagles went three up and three down in the bottom of the fifth, sending JSU to the plate all tied to start the sixth.
Just like the fifth, a walk for
Jada Terry set the scoring in motion for JSU. With two outs, Terry scored while
Alexus Jimmerson reached on a throwing error from third base.
Ellie Largen pinch ran for Jimmerson, and would score on
Megan Fortner's double two batters later.
JSU would tack on another two in the seventh to make it a 5-1 contest heading to the final home half for MSU. Brown quickly sat down the first two batters, but a walk and single opened the door for the Eagles to plate a pair of runs on fielding errors.
Nicole Rodriguez entered for the final out, where she fielded a grounder back up the middle to end the game. Rodriguez collected her second save of the season with the appearance, while Brown moved to 4-2 overall in the circle.
JSU and MSU will return to action on Monday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. CST.
