JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State split a pair of contests at University Field on Saturday, with a 7-1 setback to Samford, followed by a 9-1 victory over Western Michigan.
 
The Gamecocks (12-9) got off to a slow start falling behind Samford 6-0 in the first two innings. Freshman Jordan Eslinger saw four innings of relief work where she struck out five and allowed just two runs early in the outing. Senior Hannah Brown would cleanup the game with one hit in the final 1.2 innings.
 
Linley Tubbs put JSU's only run on the board in the fifth with a solo home run. The Jasper, Ala., freshman ties Lindsey Richardson with three home runs on the season.
 
In the nightcap, a more familiar Gamecock approach took place with Jax State taking a 9-1 six-inning win over the Broncos. Sophomore Sarah Currie picked up her third win of the season from the circle going the distance against WMU.
 
She was backed by an offense that took off in the second inning with home runs from Holly Stewart and Makalyn Kyser to make it a 3-0 contest. JSU added two more in the third and another in the fourth for a 6-0 advantage heading into the fifth where WMU struck for its only run of the game.
 
In the home half of the sixth, Richardson brought home her second and third RBI of the night on a single to score Emma Jones and Ashley Phillips. Abbi Perkins would pinch-run for Richardson and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Tubbs, who homered in the first game of the day, had another hard shot to the outfield that scored Perkins for the winning run.
 
JSU is scheduled to play Samford at 1 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at University Field to wrap up the Jax State Invite. JSU officials will monitor the weather and make any necessary updates early on Sunday if needed.