FLORENCE – Jacksonville State powered its way to a series-opening win over North Alabama, 13-8, on Friday night at Mike Lane Field on the UNA campus.

The Gamecocks improved to 12-7 in the ASUN West Division and 19-21 overall. The Lions dropped to 9-30 on the season and 2-17 against ASUN West competition. The series continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. The game will be carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.

After the Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, the light switch came on for the Gamecock offense in the fourth with a seven-run frame that was highlighted by back-to-back-to-back home runs to start the JSU half of the inning. Senior Alex Carignan started the trio of home runs, followed by junior Carson Crowe and senior Alex Strachan connecting on ball that was blasted out of the park. Sophomore Mason Maners, who finished the night 4-for-6, drove in two of his four runs with a single in the inning. Strachan picked up his second RBI of the frame with a bases loaded walk.

The Gamecocks continued to add runs in the scoring column with Maners' first home run of his career with a two-run blast to right centerfield. JSU added two more runs on its fifth home run of the night with a two-run home run by senior Cole Frederick. The last time the Gamecocks belted five home runs in a contest was against Morehead State during the 2019 season.

With a comfortable lead late, UNA made it a tighter contest with a five-run eighth inning. Jax State continued to expand the lead with two insurance runs in the ninth inning. Freshman AJ Causey delivered a two-out, two-RBI single.

Sophomore Reid Fagerstrom collected a win after tossing six complete innings. After the two runs allowed in the first, he settled in and tallied three strikeouts and five hits in the outing. He now has a pair of wins over the Lions after a 3-2 win at JSU in mid March. Redshirt junior Trey Fortner and freshman Tanner Jones finished the game on the mound.