MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Jacksonville State offense exploded for a season-high 16 runs on 14 hits to pick up its first midweek win of the season, 16-4, over Alabama State on Tuesday night at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex on the ASU campus.

The Gamecocks scored runs in the first five innings, including a season-high seven-run third inning. The bats blistered Hornet pitching for five doubles and three home runs. Jax State had production throughout the lineup as eight-of-the-nine hitters in the order had hits. The bottom part of the lineup combined for eight of the 14 hits and drove in 10 of the 16 runs.

The outfield tandem of sophomore Will Fincher and junior Logan Walters sparked the offense with eight RBI between the pair and five hits combined. Fincher sparked the seven-run third with a towering two-run home run. It was his first of the season and initial one of his Gamecock career. The big inning featured a two-run double from senior Derrick Jackson, Jr. and an RBI double from Walters ahead of Fincher's blast. Jackson joined Walters with a three-hit performance. The Huntsville, Alabama first baseman added singles in back-to-back plate appearances. Walters tallied Jax State's third dinger of the night in the fifth inning with a three-run blast. He has now homered in two of the last three games.

Jax State jumped on the Hornet arms with a two-out solo blast by junior Brennen Norton. The Gamecocks manufactured a pair of runs in the second inning before breaking the game open in the third inning.

Junior Michael Dallas finished with multiple hits, while sophomore Bear Madliak an sophomore Caleb Johnson posted hits. With his hit in the contest, Johnson has reached base in all 15 games this season and the last 20 games dating back to the last five games of 2023.

While the offense provided early runs, the Jax State bullpen turned in another solid effort. The Gamecocks used five pitchers in the shortened contest, highlighted by a pair of solid innings for Russell Derbyshire, who was awarded the win.

The Gamecocks will have a quick turnaround with a Wednesday match up with UAB on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. First pitch against the Blazers is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at JaxStateSports.com. All Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free.

Since Wednesday's game with UAB is an addition to the original schedule, season ticket holders can simply check in at the ticket window as they enter the stadium, and their regularly assigned seats will be available for the game.

The game will be streamed on ESPN+ with the debut of play-by-play announcer Eli Gold with former head coach Jim Case providing color.