Box Score BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky tallied four sixth inning runs for a come from behind 5-2 win over the second place Gamecocks on Friday. The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow at 2 p.m. for the second game of the series. 
 
Jax State (34-19, 15-10 CUSA) led both 1-0 and 2-1 before a late Hilltopper (28-17-1, 13-10-1) explosion handed the Gamecocks just their second loss in the last 12 games.
 
Morgan Nowakowski opened up the scoring with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, her third of the season. The redshirt junior was also named to the Conference USA All-Academic team earlier today.

Western Kentucky erased the one-run deficit in the home half of the inning with a two-out RBI double.

With a walk in the sixth, Nowakowski moved into ninth place in the Jax State single season walk list with her 32nd base on balls of the season.

Makalyn Kyser broke the tie later in the sixth inning, driving a single to the opposite field and scoring Nowakowski to help Jax State regain the lead.

After allowing a baserunner to lead off the sixth, Carter gave way to the Jax State bullpen, closing out her outing with 5.0 innings, two earned runs and six strikeouts.

WKU once again responded to Jax State's scoring efforts, this time with a two-run double, giving the Hilltoppers their first lead of the day. WKU would tack on four more runs in the sixth inning before the Gamecocks managed to escape the jam.

Kailey Martin and Ashley Phillips also each managed singles for the Gamecocks in Friday's series opener. 

The Conference USA Tournament is slated for Bowling Green next week beginning on May 7. 
 
Admission to all Jax State Softball games is free courtesy of Martin's Family Clothing.