JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Jax State improved its winning streak to six games on Tuesday with a 5-2 win over in-state foe Samford. The Gamecocks were powered by timely hitting in the first three innings at Jana McGinnis Field.   
 
The Gamecocks (19-7) were out-hit by Samford (16-10) 8-6, but pulled out a three-run victory over the Bulldogs on Tuesday.
 
Jax State pitchers Jaliyah Holmes and Jordan Eslinger combined for 7.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs in the midweek contest.
 
The Gamecocks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, courtesy of an Ashley Phillips RBI single back up the middle and a Megan Rasmussen bases loaded walk. Aria Davis added to the total in the second, tripling home Emma Elrod to make the advantage 3-0.
 
Samford answered in the top of the third, cutting the Jax State lead to just one run courtesy of a two-run double by designated player Olivia Shaw.
 
Haleigh Cushingberry brought home two more Jax State runners in the third, extending the lead back to three and tallying the final RBI's of the evening by either team.

After Holmes exited with the lead in the fourth, Eslinger tossed four scoreless innings, earning her sixth victory of the season in the circle.

Six different Gamecocks tallied at least one hit, including Cushingberry who led the squad with two RBI's.

With her RBI single in the first, Phillips extended her hitting streak to six games, the longest active streak by any Gamecock.

Jax State returns to action with a Conference USA series this weekend at New Mexico State