JACKSONVILLE – Jax State clinched a spot in the Conference USA Tournament with a series sweep of the Sam Houston Bearkats this weekend.
MacKinley Portillo tossed 6.1 innings, allowing just one run in the series finale and helping Jax State to a 3-1 win.
With a win over the Bearkats (25-26, 12-12 CUSA) on Sunday, Jax State (33-18, 15-9 CUSA) has now won nine of its last 10 games dating back to April 11.
Portillo earned the victory after a stellar outing where she pitched into the final frame. She gave way to the bullpen with one out in the seventh to senior
Jordan Eslinger. After Jax State caught a Sam Houston runner attempting to advance home on a wild pitch,
Kat Carter entered with two outs and the bases loaded.
Carter forced a flyout to end the game and earned her third save of the season on a day where she was recognized during the pregame senior day festivities.
Kailey Martin was the star for Jax State at the plate, bringing home all three Gamecock RBI's, including two on a two run home run in the second inning that gave Jax State a 2-0 lead.
Jaci Underwood tripled to lead off the frame before scoring on the Martin homer.
Sam Houston then took one run back with a double to left field, in the fourth before Martin tacked on yet another RBI, this time singling through the right side of the infield.
Underwood scored on both of Martin's RBI hits. The pair each finished with two hits, also being joined by
Emma Elrod and
Amber Reed, each going 2-for-4 with a double apiece.
Portillo walked just one batter while striking out three in her outing, giving way to just a single earned run.
Martin's home run is her 10th of the season, becoming just the second Gamecock to do so this season, joining
Emma Elrod.
With the victory, Jax State is just the second team in Conference USA to clinch a spot in the postseason tournament, joining Liberty.
The Gamecocks will travel to Bowling Green for a three-game series with WKU next weekend before returning to Bowling Green for the CUSA Tournament on May 7-10.
Jax State will wrap up its home slate on Tuesday of this week with a 5 p.m. first pitch against West Georgia on April 29.
Admission to all Jax State Softball games is free courtesy of Martin's Family Clothing.
