OXFORD, Ala—Jax State had a strong start to the 2024-25 season by winning all three events during its exhibition against Alabama State hosted at Big Time Entertainment.
 
The Gamecocks won the five traditional matches with a total pinfall of 1092 to 858, then won the five Baker matches with a total pinfall of 1029 to 950, then swept the best of seven Baker series to go 3-0 on the day.
 
Fans didn't have to wait long to get a glimpse of the five newcomers to the lineup as those were the first five bowlers in the lineup in the traditional matches.
 
"They are really talented and a great group of girls and they didn't seem scared at all," said coach Shannon O'Keefe. "It was a really great way to throw them to the fire and see how they react."
 
During the total pinfall Baker matches, the Gamecocks won four of the five and averaged 205.8 per game. The first match is where Jax State did the most damage, posting 238 to Alabama State's 205. The Hornets won the next game 245-228 and the fifth game 202-194.
 
"They've shown a lot of resiliency through some tough practices and their spare shooting has been great," said O'Keefe.
 
In the best of seven series, the Gamecocks worked a different lineup each time and continued to get quality results. After a seven-pin victory in the first match, Jax State was a 246-157 winner in the second, then won by eight pins in the third before closing the day with a 223-206 win.
 
"I love how open they were and going with the flow," said O'Keefe. "It wasn't anything strategic, it was just making sure everyone got equal opportunities."
 
The Gamecocks will head to Orlando for their first tournament of the season next weekend hosted by Sacred Heart University.