BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Four different Gamecocks launched home runs in Wednesday's contest on the way to a dominant 11-0 victory over the Sam Houston Bearkats in the Conference USA Championship.
 
With a win, Jax State (35-20) advances to face off with tournament host Western Kentucky on Thursday, May 8 at noon while Sam Houston (27-28) falls into the elimination bracket.

Amber Reed opened up the scoring for Jax State, driving home Emma Elrod with an RBI double in the first inning.

Just two batters later, Makalyn Kyser crushed a home run to straight away center field, bringing home Morgan Nowakowski and Reed to give Jax State a 4-0 advantage after one inning.

Emma Elrod joined in on the fun in the second inning, launching a solo homer of her own to put the Gamecocks up five runs. Elrod leads Jax State this season with 14 longballs.

After a Kailey Martin double to lead off the third, Aria Davis lifted Jax State's third home run in as many innings, putting Jax State ahead 7-0. The freshman's home run is her third homer of the 2025 season.

Reed tacked on her second RBI double of the afternoon in the fourth inning before Martin hit a towering shot off the parking structure behind the left field fence, for her 11th homer of the year.

Jaliyah Holmes earned the start for Jax State on Wednesday and twirled a gem, allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out two and not allowing an earned run in her five innings of work.

With the complete game shutout, Holmes earned her fourth victory of the year.

Elrod, Reed, Martin and Kyser all tallied two hits with Reed and Martin both managing a pair of extra base hits.

It is just the second time this season the Gamecocks have hit four or more homers in a game, joining an April 18th outing where Jax State defeated Middle Tennessee 12-2.

The win serves as the first CUSA Tournament victory in Jax State's program history. 

Jax State and Western Kentucky will have a rematch on Thursday where the winner will advance to play