JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State couldn't get the bats going in its home opener against Chattanooga on Wednesday night.
The Mocs (7-4) used a three-run first and then rode a pair of strong pitching performances to spoil the Gamecocks (2-9) first game at
Jana McGinnis Field in 2024, 4-0.
Taylor Long allowed one hit in four innings of her start, followed by three innings of one-hit ball from reliever Alyssa Lavdis.
Jax State starter
Jaliyah Holmes settled in after allowing the three first-inning runs and held UTC to four runs on six hits in six and 2/3 innings. She did strike out eight batters and walked a pair. Freshman
Amber Reed came in to record the final out of the seventh.
Long (4-1) walked three and struck out three and allowed an infield single to
Kenzie Nicholson in the bottom of the first. Lavdis earned her first save of the season after striking out two in relief.
The Mocs struck early, plating three in the top of the first. They used a bunt single by Camryn Cernuto to lead it off and an RBI single to left by Olivia Lipari to put the first run on the board. Kaili Phillips delivered the big blow with a two-run homer to left center that made it an early 3-0 lead.
Holmes settled in and held the Mocs at bay until the top of the sixth, when a solo homer from Kendall Forsythe made it a 4-0 game. The Gamecocks got a late double from
Ashley Phillips, who made her season debut after missing the first two weeks with an injury.
Jax State will be at home this weekend, when the Gamecocks host the Cocky Classic at
Jana McGinnis Field. The Gamecocks will welcome Belmont, Samford, Southern Indiana and Southern Miss for the three-day tournament that will consist of 11 total games over three days.
Admission is free for all home games in 2024, compliments of Martin's Family Clothing.
Cocky Classic Schedule - all times CT
(team listed first will be the home team)
| FRIDAY | FEB. 23 |
| 10:00 - Samford vs Belmont |
| 12:30 - Southern Indiana vs Southern Miss |
| 3:00 - Jax State vs Southern Miss |
| 5:30 - Jax State vs Samford |
| SATURDAY | FEB. 24 |
| 10:00 - Jax State vs Southern Indiana |
| 12:30 - Southern Indiana vs Belmont |
| 3:00 - Belmont vs Southern Miss |
| 5:30 - Southern Miss vs Samford |
| SUNDAY | FEB. 25 |
| 10:00 = Southern Miss vs Southern Indiana |
| 12:30 - Jax State vs Southern Indiana |
| 3:00 - Jax State vs Belmont |
