NASHVILLE – Nicole Rodriguez tossed a three-hit shutout and Sidney Wagnon belted her first home run in leading the Jacksonville State softball team to a series sweep of Tennessee State on Monday.
 
The Gamecocks (22-21, 20-11 Ohio Valley Conference) claimed a 2-0 win over the Tigers (8-30, 4-24 OVC) in the past two days and used the sweep to move into a tie with Austin Peay for third place in the OVC with one week left to play.
 
Rodriguez struck out nine and allowed three ground ball singles just one day after the Fort Myers, Fla., native struck out 10 in a two-hit shutout of the Tigers. She pitched 14 innings in the series, striking out 19 and allowing just five hits.
 
She didn't need much run support in Monday's win. Wagnon lifted her first career homer to right, watching it bounce off of and over the top of the wall to give the Gamecocks a 1-0 lead in the second inning.
 
Rodriguez and TSU starter Kennedy McCurry dueled for seven frames, and the 1-0 score stood on the board until JSU got an insurance run in the seventh. Senior Alexus Jimmerson led off the inning with a double, prompting JSU to bring in Keeli Bobbitt to pinch run for her.
 
Bobbitt stole third base and scored when catcher Lyndsey Dugan's throw went into left field. The run doubled Rodriguez' lead and would be plenty to secure the win.
 
TSU did get one baserunner in the seventh after a walk to pinch hitter Kayli Mothershed, but Rodriguez struck out Lauren Farias to end the game.
 
Freshman Shelby Newsome had a solid game at the plate, going 2-for-3 for the Gamecocks, while Wagnon was 2-for-3 with the game's lone RBI.
 
JSU returns to University Field to wrap up the regular season, hosting first-place Southeast Missouri in a three-game series that will start with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday. The series will conclude on Sunday with a 1 p.m. single game that will also be Senior Day for the Gamecocks. Admission for all of JSU's home games is free for JSU students and all fans ages 18 and under.
 
JSU is fighting for one of just four spots in next week's OVC Tournament at Choccolocco Park in Oxford. The three-day event will be held from May 13-15.