LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Freshman Kailey Martin slugged a pair of homers, tallying all four Jax State RBI's, but the Gamecocks fell short 5-4 in the series finale at New Mexico State on Sunday. 
  
The Aggies (17-12, 4-2 CUSA) claimed the series 2-1, taking the last two games while the Gamecocks (20-9, 4-2 CUSA) finished with a pair of losses after taking the opener 9-7.
 
Jax State allowed 20 runs in the three-game series after allowing just 19 total runs in the previous 11 games combined. 
 
In a game that featured five total home runs, with all nine runs coming via the long ball, New Mexico State jumped ahead early with a trio of homers in the first three innings. The Aggies sandwiched a third inning three-run homer with a pair of solo shots, jumping out to a 5-0 advantage.
 
Martin, a freshman, tagged a three-run homer of her own in the fourth frame, chopping the Aggie lead to 5-3 with just three innings to go.
 
Martin responded once again, this time with a sixth inning solo homer, tying Emma Elrod for the team lead with eight this season.
 
Jax State made one last push at the NMSU lead, leading off the seventh inning with a pinch-hit leadoff single from Megan Rasmussen. Elrod then drew a one out walk, putting two runners on with one out before a pair of strikeouts ended the contest.
 
Entering down 5-0, Jax State pitcher Jordan Eslinger tossed 3.2 scoreless frames to close out the game, allowing just two base hits.
 
Jax State hit two homers in a game for the eighth time this season, including for the third time this series. 
 
Jax State returns home this weekend for a three-game series against the Liberty Flames.
 
Admission to all Jax State Softball games is free courtesy of Martin's Family Clothing.