BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jacksonville State's return to the diamond after a weekend off saw its two-game winning streak come to a halt on Tuesday with a 14-8 setback to UAB at Young Memorial Field.
The Gamecocks were looking to keep the momentum going after picking up a pair of midweek wins last week over Alabama State and Troy, but the Blazers erased an early 5-1 deficit with back-to-back five-run frames in the fourth and fifth en route to avenging a 14-3 loss to Jax State in March on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
The idle weekend did not hamper the offense with 14 hits, including three solo home runs on the afternoon. The Gamecocks struck early with the first of the three home runs on the day with a blast by sophomore
Caleb Johnson. His 10th home run of the season kick-started a three-hit day for the leading hitter on the Jax State ball club. Johnson added a pair of singles in his next two plate appearances. His day included scoring four of the seven Jax State runs and one of the three stolen bases in the loss for the Gamecocks. The shortstop from Phenix City, Alabama now has 14 multi-hit games this season and his second three-hit outing of the season.
Freshman
Gabe Young posted his first career home run playing near his hometown of Mountain Brook, Alabama to give Jax state a 2-1 lead in the third inning. He added another hit for a multi-hit day in Jefferson County.
Jax State strung together five hits and extended its lead with three runs in the fourth inning. Junior
Drew Collins, who had a three RBI game, reached on a fielder's choice for the first run of the inning. Freshman
Sam Silas recorded the first of his three hits on the day with a bunt single, scoring the second run of the frame. Sophomore
Will Fincher pushed the third run across the plate with another bunt.
The Gamecocks added single runs in the fifth with Collins' second RBI, followed by a
Derrick Jackson, Jr. solo home run. Collins drove in the final run of the contest with an RBI double. Sophomore
Bear Madliak was the third Gamecock to have multiple hits.
Jax State begins the second half of the Conference USA slate this weekend with a series against New Mexico State. The series with the aggies begins on Friday at 6 p.m. The series continues on Saturday with another 6 p.m. start time. The series concludes with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday. Tickets for the series on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium are available online at JaxStateSports.com. all Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free.
All three games this weekend will be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.
