MOBILE – Jacksonville State evened the weekend series with South Alabama on Saturday with a 9-3 win on Stanky Field.

After the Jaguars claimed Friday's series opener, Sunday's series finale will determine the in-state series. The rubber game of the weekend will get started at 1 p.m.

The Gamecocks (3-3) started fast with a three-run first inning and continued to expand the lead throughout the contest for the first road win of the season. Jax State's nine hits were highlighted by three home runs on the blistery day at the park. Junior Brennen Norton opened the third inning with his third home run of the season, followed by sophomore Caleb Johnson's second home run of the weekend to start the sixth inning. Junior Logan Walters capped off Jax State's scoring with a two-run blast in the ninth.

Senior Derrick Jackson, Jr. put the Gamecocks on the scoreboard with an RBI doubled, followed by a two-run single by sophomore Bear Madliak in the first inning. The three-run cushion for Jax State starter Jackson Sleeper was all he needed in his second start of the season. Sleeper turned in a solid outing with 3.2 innings of work, allowed two USA runs and tallied three strikeouts.

The Gamecocks' bullpen was stellar on Saturday with one run allowed over the final 6.2 innings. Freshman Colin Woodham picked up his first collegiate win after 2.1 innings of relief work. Junior Ethan Adkison tossed the final 3.2 innings to record his first save of the season.

Jax State expanded the lead in the fourth inning after freshman Gabe Young worked a bases-loaded walk. Junior Matthew Albritton added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning. The Gamecocks had production throughout the lineup with seven of the nine hitters having a hit. Johnson turned in a multi-hit game with two hits, while Walters added two hits.

Sunday's contest will be streamed on ESPN+.