BIRMINGHAM – The Jacksonville State dropped its first midweek contest of the season with a 7-3 setback to in-state foe Samford on Tuesday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

The Gamecocks, who started a four-game road trip with a visit against the Bulldogs, dropped to 2-2 on the season, while SU remained undefeated at 4-0. Jax State will now turn its attention to a weekend trip to Mobile, Alabama for a three-game series with the Jaguars of South Alabama. The series begins on Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs broke a 3-3 contest with a pair of runs in the sixth inning and expanded their lead with two more runs in the eighth inning. The Samford bullpen limited Jax State's offense over the final four frames with one hit in that span. Evan Steckmesser of SU earned the win after a clean inning of work after the Bulldogs' offense handed over the lead. Jax State freshman Ryan Vermillion suffered the loss.

Junior Brennen Norton highlighted the Gamecocks' offense with two of the four hits against the Bulldogs' five arms. The Cullman, Alabama native started fast with his second home run of the season in his first plate appearance and had a single in the fifth to put Jax State in position for a big inning. Jax State was limited to a run after SU turned a double play, scoring Caleb Johnson on the play.

Freshman Gabe Young, playing near his hometown of Mountain Brook, drove in Jax State's second run of the game with a sacrifice fly.

Freshman Hudson Walburn collected a hit in his first start as a Gamecock in centerfield, while sophomore Bear Madliak had an infield single.

Following Friday's series opener against USA, the series continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. and wraps on Sunday at 1 p.m.