MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Jax State out-hit Middle Tennessee 11-10 on Thursday, but a trio of Blue Raider home runs proved to be the difference in the series opening 9-6 victory for Middle Tennessee. Eight of Middle Tennessee's nine runs came via the long ball. 
  
Jax State (28-18, 10-9 CUSA) jumped ahead 1-0 before Middle Tennessee (22-22, 10-9 CUSA) combined for seven runs in the second and third frame on Thursday.
 
In the first at bat of the afternoon for the Gamecocks, Emma Elrod jumped on a 3-2 pitch and launched a solo shot, putting the Gamecocks ahead early. It would be the first of four homers hit by the two teams in the opener. 
  
After a one-run double from the Blue Raiders, Middle Tennessee managed a three-run homer to take a three-run advantage.
 
The Gamecocks wasted little time before finding the plate again. Amber Reed brought it back within two runs with a sacrifice fly in the top of the third inning.
 
For the second time in the evening, MTSU struck via three-run homer, this time from Addy Edgmon, extending its lead to 7-2.
 
Reed attempted to cut down the lead once again in the fourth, singling home a pair of runs with the bases loaded.
 
Reed doubled home another run in the sixth, cutting the lead within one before coming around to score on a wild pitch. The sophomore accounted for five of Jax State's six runs.
 
After Jax State cut the lead down to one run, the Blue Raiders put the game out of reach with a two-run shot in the sixth, Edgmon's second of the day, resulting in a final score of 9-6.
 
Elrod, Makalyn Kyser and Kailey Martin all finished with two hits apiece while Reed closed her day 3-for-3 with four RBI's. Her four runs driven in tie her for the most by any Jax State hitter this season. 
 
Jax State and Middle Tennessee reconvene for the second game of the series on Friday at 4 p.m. before concluding the series on Saturday at noon.
  
Admission to all Jax State Softball games is free courtesy of Martin's Family Clothing.