JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — After being on the road through the first 10 contests of the season, Jax State was ready to return home, and it showed in its 8-0 shutout victory over the Chattanooga Mocs in just five innings at Jana McGinnis Field on Wednesday night.
The home opening win for the Gamecocks (7-4) saw a trio of batters tallying two hits each, including
Mikayla Deville,
Emma Elrod and
Makalyn Kyser who were responsible for a combined five RBIs throughout the evening against the Mocs (5-5).
The Gamecocks posted one run each through the first two innings, kicked off by Kyser's RBI single through the left side in the opening frame to score Elrod from third. Elrod followed that up in the following inning with an RBI single herself to give the Gamecocks an early 2-0 lead.
Facing two quick outs in the third frame, Jax State was able to break the game wide open after a bases loaded walk, followed by a two-RBI single by Deville and heads-up baserunning by
Haleigh Cushingberry off a fielding error to post four runs in the inning to make it a 6-0 game.
The Gamecocks finished it off in the fifth after an RBI double from Deville and a fielder's choice grounder by
Amber Reed allowed for Deville to score off a throwing error to end the game early.
Deville finished her day going 2-for-4 at the dish with three RBIs and a stolen base as well, while Elrod and Kyser each went 2-for-2 at the plate, with Elrod picking up two walks.
Cushingberry went 1-for-1 at the plate with a pair of walks as well, and crossed the plate three times throughout the evening, along with stealing two bases.
MacKinley Portillo controlled the circle for Jax State and had one of her best outings of the early season, pitching all five innings, only allowing four hits and one walk. Portillo additionally tallied three strikeouts in the matchup in her first victory of the year to bring her record to 1-2.
The shutout victory marks the Gamecocks' first of the season and the first one since May 7, 2025, when Jax State shutout Sam Houston 11-0 in the Conference USA Tournament.
The Gamecocks stay at home for the next five games, hosting the Jax State Tournament beginning on Friday with a matchup against DePaul at 5 p.m.
