OXFORD, Miss. — Jax State softball kicked off its final nonconference tournament of the regular season, splitting contests between ULM and Ole Miss on Friday evening at the Ole Miss Classic.
The Gamecocks opened the day with a 1-0 pitcher's duel victory over the Warhawks before dropping an 8-0 loss to the Rebels in five innings for the second game of the night.
Jax State (13-6) picked up its fifth neutral site victory of the season over ULM in the first game of the day, but it did not come without challenge.
The contest saw a combined seven hits between both squads, with Jax State tallying three and the Warhawks picking up the remaining four. With points coming at a premium all afternoon long, it was the Gamecocks who were able to find some momentum in the fourth inning after
Makalyn Kyser's RBI single to bring home
Emma Elrod for the first and only run of the game.
MacKinley Portillo controlled the circle for Jax State in game one, recording her second complete game shutout of the season. Portillo allowed just four hits and three walks, while racking up five strikeouts against ULM to bring her season record to 3-3.
For game two, the Rebels set the tone at the plate early, scoring six runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two-run home run with one out. From there, Ole Miss continued to rally by picking up an additional three more hits in the frame.
The Gamecocks managed to hold the Rebels scoreless in the second and third innings with
Yulai Woodruff in the circle. However, Jax State's offense could only manage two hits across the span.
The Rebels plated two more in the fourth to put the game out of reach for the Gamecocks and end the contest early.
Jax State returns to action on Saturday afternoon, starting off by facing ULM at 11:30 a.m., followed by another rematch against Ole Miss at 2:30 p.m.
