Wednesday, February 18
Jacksonville, Ala.
5 PM
Jacksonville State University
vs
Chattanooga
Photo by: Michael Oslacky/Jax State
Softball Takes on Chattanooga for Home Opener
2/17/2026 11:59:00 AM | Softball
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — After playing its first ten games on the road, Jax State softball returns home for the first time this season to take on Chattanooga at Jana McGinnis Field on Wednesday.
The Gamecocks have won its last three games against UAB, South Alabama and Western Michigan, respectively, and hold a 6-4 record on the season after returning from the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile this past weekend.
Jax State has had no trouble getting the bats hot to start the 2026 season, as the team has four batters hitting over .400 at the plate so far including Kailey Martin (.424), Emma Elrod (.421), Mikayla Deville (.421) and Morgan Nowakowski (.406).
Martin has been the Gamecocks' leading catalyst on offense through the first 10 matchups, leading the team in batting average, slugging percentage, home runs and RBIs. The sophomore's 16 RBIs is currently tied for No. 17 in the country and leads the Conference USA.
Elrod has also been a bright spot for Jax State as well, compiling a team-high 16 hits so far this season, along with 12 RBIs. Elrod tallied six of those RBIs in the win over UAB last Saturday, including a second inning grand slam for her first homer of the season.
The Gamecocks are coming off their most recent victory over Western Michigan, coming away with a high-scoring 16-12 victory on Sunday. The matchup marks the highest combined run total between Jax State and another opponent since Feb. 16, 2020, when the Gamecocks defeated College of Charleston 20-9 in six innings.
In the circle, Makenna Moore has been Jax State's leading pitcher so far. The freshman holds a 2-0 record in three starts this season. Moore has complied a team-high 14 strikeouts across 19.2 innings pitched.
The Mocs enter this week's matchup with a 5-4 record, splitting four games at the Chattanooga Challenge this past weekend. Chattanooga is led by Abi Bunt at the plate, hitting a team-high .367, while also leading the team in hits (11), RBIs (10) and total bases (18).
Following the midweek bout, the Gamecocks remain at home for the Jax State Tournament, starting on Friday. Jax State will take on DePaul, Gardner-Webb and Northwestern State throughout the weekend stretch.
The Gamecocks have won its last three games against UAB, South Alabama and Western Michigan, respectively, and hold a 6-4 record on the season after returning from the Mardi Gras Invitational in Mobile this past weekend.
Jax State has had no trouble getting the bats hot to start the 2026 season, as the team has four batters hitting over .400 at the plate so far including Kailey Martin (.424), Emma Elrod (.421), Mikayla Deville (.421) and Morgan Nowakowski (.406).
Martin has been the Gamecocks' leading catalyst on offense through the first 10 matchups, leading the team in batting average, slugging percentage, home runs and RBIs. The sophomore's 16 RBIs is currently tied for No. 17 in the country and leads the Conference USA.
Elrod has also been a bright spot for Jax State as well, compiling a team-high 16 hits so far this season, along with 12 RBIs. Elrod tallied six of those RBIs in the win over UAB last Saturday, including a second inning grand slam for her first homer of the season.
The Gamecocks are coming off their most recent victory over Western Michigan, coming away with a high-scoring 16-12 victory on Sunday. The matchup marks the highest combined run total between Jax State and another opponent since Feb. 16, 2020, when the Gamecocks defeated College of Charleston 20-9 in six innings.
In the circle, Makenna Moore has been Jax State's leading pitcher so far. The freshman holds a 2-0 record in three starts this season. Moore has complied a team-high 14 strikeouts across 19.2 innings pitched.
The Mocs enter this week's matchup with a 5-4 record, splitting four games at the Chattanooga Challenge this past weekend. Chattanooga is led by Abi Bunt at the plate, hitting a team-high .367, while also leading the team in hits (11), RBIs (10) and total bases (18).
Following the midweek bout, the Gamecocks remain at home for the Jax State Tournament, starting on Friday. Jax State will take on DePaul, Gardner-Webb and Northwestern State throughout the weekend stretch.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
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