JACKSONVILLE—The Gamecocks posted their second consecutive shutout of opening weekend on Sunday with a 6-0 victory over Oakland University.
Jax State (3-1) closed the series with 20 straight shutout innings and posted back-to-back shutout wins for the first time since March 26th and 27th of the 2021 season.
The pitching staff was the highlight on a 40-degree overcast day, allowing just seven hits and striking out 11.
Starting pitcher James Wilson did not factor into the decision in his Jax State debut despite throwing four shutout innings. The sophomore from Toronto struck out five and walked two, and allowed just five hits during the outing.
"He set the tone," said coach Steve Bieser of Wilson's performance. "Our pitching staff over the last couple games, have really been locked in attacking the strike zone."
Ryan Geraghty picked up the win with 3.2 scoreless innings of work with four strikeouts. The sophomore allowed just one hit during his appearance and coaxed five ground outs.
Carson Hornung's first Jax State hit brought in a run in the fifth and a misplay in left field made it 2-0. Drew Collins made it 3-0 with an RBI triple to right center in the seventh, scoring Rob Gordon who led off the inning with a walk. A sacrifice fly by Hornung brought Collins home to push the lead to four.
"He allowed us to relax a little bit and not press the offense," said Bieser of Hornung's hit. "We know he's going to hit; he wasn't swinging at great pitches the last couple days, and then today, I thought he did a much better job of commanding the strike zone."
Oakland (1-3) loaded the bases in the eighth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Brody Swindle came in and recorded a strikeout to keep the Grizzlies scoreless.
Collins added a second RBI with a single up the middle in the eighth to bring home Grayson Ashe. The Gamecocks then executed a first-and-third double steal with Collins evading the tag at the plate to make it 6-0. Collins finished the day 3-for-4.
Despite recording five two-out hits, the Grizzlies were unable to manufacture a run with just a 1-for-5 performance with runners in scoring position.
The Gamecocks will play host to Samford Tuesday at 6 p.m. Tickets are available online at JaxStateSports.com. All Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free.
