JACKSONVILLE – A three-run sixth inning for Western Kentucky was the difference in the Thursday's Conference USA outing as Jacksonville State dropped a 4-2 decision in the conference home opener on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

The Hilltoppers erased a 2-0 Gamecock lead with the three-run inning that was aided by a misplayed pop up on the infield, allowing the tying run to score and left the door open for the go-ahead run on the next at bat. WKU produced half of its 10 hits on the night in that lengthy inning, which resulted in a pair of unearned runs.

With the lead, the Hilltoppers limited Jax State's chances the rest of the way and added an insurance run in the ninth inning. The win pushed WKU's overall mark to 17-10 and even in CUSA play at 2-2. The Gamecocks dropped to 9-16 overall and will be searching for their first league win on Friday night in the second game of the weekend series.

Jax State broke up the scoreless deadlock with its two runs in the third inning. After junior Michael Dallas reached via hit-by-pitch and swiped second base, he scored on junior Drew Collins' single back up the middle. Collins scored on a double from sophomore Caleb Johnson, who collected three hits in the setback. He later added a single in the sixth and eighth innings. He has now reached base in all 25 games this season and the last 30 games dating back to the last five games of 2023.

Junior Brennen Norton continues to swing the stick well with another multi-hit game. Norton finished with two base hits in his final two plate appearances and reached base three times with a walk in the third inning. Sophomore Bear Madliak extended his on-base streak to 16 games with a base hit on Thursday.

Senior Will Baker suffered the loss after retiring 12-of-the-first-13 Hilltoppers. He collected four strikeouts and was touched for six hits. Sophomore Josh Sibley fanned four WKU hitters in 1.2 innings of relief work.

Jax State and WKU continue the series on Friday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at JaxStateSports.com. Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.