JACKSONVILLE – Anything cam happen in a rivalry game and Wednesday on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium was no different between Jacksonville State and Troy.
After the Trojans jumped out to a 9-0 lead through the first four innings, the Gamecocks sent 15 batters to the plate in the first to register 10 runs in the inning. Troy answered with nine runs over the next three innings to claim an 18-10 midweek win over Jax State.
Both clubs used the contest to prepare for another conference weekend on the horizon as they combined for 23 different pitchers, including Jax State establishing a new NCAA Division I Baseball record for relief pitchers used in a single game as 14 relievers were summoned from the bullpen. The previous record was set on May 5, 1998 in a game between Butler and Indiana-Southeast.
Jax State's 10-run fifth, the first time the club pushed double digit runs across the plate since March 19, 2014 at Eastern Illinois. The Gamecocks plated 13 runs in the seventh inning of that 23-15 win over EIU. The Gamecocks took advantage of three walks and four hit-by-the pitch from Troy's pitching staff along with the inning being highlighted by a pair of hits by senior
Derrick Jackson, Jr., a double by sophomore
Caleb Johnson, an RBI single by sophomore
Will Fincher and the go-ahead RBI double by freshman
Sam Silas. Jackson started the lengthy frame with a single and added a two-run double in the second plate appearance of the inning.
Before and after the 10-run fifth inning, the Trojans kept the Gamecocks off the scoreboard and held Jax State to eight hits on the night. Juniors
Drew Collins and
Brennen Norton recorded hits in the setback along with those that produced in the fifth inning.
Troy started fast with nine runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a seven-run second inning that was aided by a Jax State fielding miscue and three walks issued by the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks return to Conference USA action this weekend on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium, hosting the Panthers of FIU. The series begins on Friday at 6 p.m., followed by another evening start time on Saturday at 6 p.m. before the series concludes on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Tickets are available online at JaxStateSports.com. 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.
