JACKSONVILLE – Big innings in both games of Saturday's doubleheader propelled Kent State to a sweep of both games on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

The Golden Flashes used a four-run seventh inning to highlight an 8-4 win in the series opener and a four-run fifth inning to break open the night cap en route to a 10-4 decision in game two. The Gamecocks will look to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are available online at JaxStateSports.com. All Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free. Sunday's at The Jim are kids days as all kids will be allowed to run the bases like the Gamecocks following each home Sunday contest this season.

In the opener, KSU quickly broke a 4-all deadlock in its half of the seventh after Jax State put together a two-run rally in the sixth with a pair of solo home runs by senior Derrick Jackson, Jr. and junior Brennen Norton. KSU's big hit in the frame came via a bases-clearing double from Josh Johnson. Jax State fell behind early, but clawed back into the contest with a run in the third and added a second run on Drew Collins' first home run as a Gamecock in the fifth inning.

Sophomore Jackson Sleeper pitched longer than any Jax State starter in the early season with four-plus innings in a no decision effort. Sleeper collected four strikeouts and touched for six hits. Freshman Ryna Vermillion was saddled with the loss out of the bullpen. KSU's Jack Kartsonas turned in 5.0 innings to earn the win.

The Gamecocks struck first in the second game with sophomore catcher Bear Madliak scoring the first run of the contest. Madliak keyed Jax State's defense as he threw out five Golden Flashes on the base paths in the two games combined. Madliak also posted multiple hits in the setback. KSU answered with a pair of runs in the second and added eight more over the next three innings. The big hit for the Golden Flashes came on a three-run home run by Aiden Hinds in the four-run fifth.

Jax State manufactured a pair of runs in the fifth with an RBI double from Caleb Johnson and a run-scoring single from Jackson. Johnson reached base in both games and has now reached base in 15 straight games dating back to the final five games of the 2023 season. The first baseman finished the twinbill with five hits and three RBI. After the fifth inning, KSU's bullpen put the clamps on the Jax State offense and did not allow a hit over the final four frames.

Sunday's final game of the weekend will be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.