JACKSONVILLE – Jax State came up shy of a senior day series sweep on Sunday, falling 4-0 to Western Kentucky in the longest game for the Gamecocks since 2017.
 
An epic pitchers' duel finally broke the way of the Hilltoppers (29-18-1, 14-7 CUSA) in the 11th inning after neither side could find a run for more than three hours. Junior Kat Carter gave Jax State (22-26, 11-10 CUSA) 10 scoreless innings from the circle, but her offense was equally stumped by WKU's Katie Gardner.
 
Between Carter and Gardner the pair faced 88 total batters. Entering a scoreless 11th inning, Carter had allowed just seven hits, but her fourth issued walk opened the door for WKU's eventual breakthrough. A sacrifice moved the runner into scoring position, and just two hits later, the Tops touched home for the first time all day.
 
Once WKU finally cracked the scoreboard, Carter was relieved for sophomore Jaliyah Holmes with the bases loaded. The momentum continued for the visitors who ultimately scored four in the extra frame.
 
Jax State was unable to rally in the bottom of the inning despite getting two runners aboard. The Gamecocks had chances to end it previously in the home half of the seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th innings in which they got the winning run on base in three of the four frames.
 
The last time Jax State played deeper than 11 innings in a game was a 13-inning affair at UAB in 2017. The season prior, the Gamecocks beat Oregon State in 14 innings at the 2016 Auburn Regional during the NCAA Tournament.
 
Despite the setback, the Gamecocks still claimed the series win courtesy of Friday and Saturday wins to help secure its spot in the CUSA Tournament in just over a week.
 
Jax State will step away from conference play for the 2024 home finale Tuesday afternoon when the Gamecocks host Samford at 5 p.m. from Jana McGinnis Field.