LYNCHBURG, Va. – Jacksonville State rallied with a three-run ninth inning to even the series with Liberty after a 6-5 win over the Flames on Saturday afternoon at Liberty Baseball Stadium.

Trailing 4-3 entering the last at bat, the Gamecocks quickly tied it with a leadoff home run by junior Brennen Norton off of LU closer Ben Blair. After a one-out single by Caleb Johnson, who moved to third base after swiping second base and moved to third on a wild pitch. Sophomore Bear Madliak tallied his second RBI of the contest with a sacrifice fly to give  . Madliak was issued an RBI walk with the bases loaded to even the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning. Junior Logan Walters beat out an infield single and took second on Jax State seventh stolen base of the day and moved to third base on an errant throw by the catcher.

Freshman Gabe Young gave the Gamecocks an insurance run with a pinch hit single to drive in the sixth and winning run.
LU answered with a leadoff home run to make it a 6-5 contest before junior Austin Cornelius closed out the contest for his first save of the season and the third of his career.

The Flames jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning off of Jax State starter Jackson Sleeper. After the rocky start by the sophomore, he settled in to keep it a close contest before the Jax State offense could get going. Sleeper went on to post four blank innings and collected seven strikeouts, which matched his career high. Freshman Colin Woodham secured the win before Cornelius came in for the final out.

The Gamecocks made it a one-run game after a two-run third inning. Junior Drew Collins turned in his third RBI of the weekend, followed by a Johnson RBI single. Johnson and Fincher paced the lineup with two hits each.

The rubber game of the weekend is set for 12 p.m. CT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.