JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Jax State fell to Chattanooga in its home opener on Wednesday by a final score of 3-2. Jax State led early before a pair of mid-inning Chattanooga home runs gave the Mocs a one run advantage in the fifth inning.
The Gamecocks (9-6) jumped ahead early before Chattanooga (8-7) powered its way in front in the fifth. All three of UTC's runs on Wednesday came via the long ball.
Elrod, a sophomore from Newnan, Ga., continued her hot start to the season, launching her team-best fifth home run in her first at bat of the season at Jana McGinnis Field.
The Gamecocks wasted no time extending their lead, putting two runners on for
Morgan Nowakowski in the second. The Huntsville, Ala. native singled home
Hannah Buffington through the right side of the infield.
Nowakowski finished her day 3-for-4 with a trio of singles and an RBI.
After allowing a leadoff single, Jax State starting pitcher
Kat Carter retired 10 consecutive batters before allowing a fourth inning walk. Just one batter later, Chattanooga designated player Presley Williamson launched a game-tying home run.
Chattanooga took its first lead of the evening in the fifth frame following a leadoff homer from Jayce Purdy.
Jordan Eslinger entered in relief for Jax State in the fifth inning and retired the side.
Eslinger finished her afternoon with 3.0 innings of work with a pair of strikeouts and only allowing two baserunners.
With Jax State trailing 3-2 entering the final frame, Nowakowski singled to put the tying run on board with nobody out. Chattanooga pitcher and SoCon Preseason Pitcher of the Year Peja Goold struck out the next three Gamecocks in order to secure the complete game victory.
Jax State's original home opener against Samford on Feb. 12 was postponed to March 11 due to inclement weather.
The Gamecocks travel to Southern Miss this weekend to participate in the Black & Gold Challenge. Jax State will play five games from Feb. 28-Mar. 2 against Lamar, Southern Miss and Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Live stats will be available via StatBroadcast while streaming will be available on ESPN+ for the two contests against USM.
