JACKSONVILLE – Following a two and a half hour rain delay, the Jax State softball team pulled through in a marathon 5-3 victory. Kat Carter tossed her 12th complete game of the season on the way to earning her 11th win on the year. 
  
Jax State (31-18, 13-9 CUSA) took a one-game advantage for third place in the Conference USA over the Bearkats (25-24, 12-10 CUSA)
 
Kat Carter sat down two batters in the top of the first before Jax State took a lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of a Makalyn Ksyer single back up the middle.
 
Carter once again sat down three consecutive batters in the second inning with a trio of pop ups before the Gamecocks tacked on another run. This time around, Emma Elrod singled home Kailey Martin for a 2-0 advantage through two.
 
The early Gamecock lead was short lived however, with Sam Houston pouring on three runs in the third frame with four hits, including two infield singles.
 
Jax State reclaimed the lead when two runs scored on an Amber Reed fielder's choice in the fourth, taking a 4-3 lead.
 
Morgan Nowakowski doubled in a run in the sixth, giving the Gamecocks an insurance run, leading to the 5-3 victory.
 
Kat Carter tossed a complete game, allowing just three runs and striking out four. All seven hits for Jax State came from different players. 
 
Saturday's game against the Bearkats is set to start at 3 p.m. at Jana McGinnis Field.
  
Admission to all Jax State Softball games is free courtesy of Martin's Family Clothing.