JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Jax State softball team dominated both at the plate and in the field as it cruised to a 5-0 shutout victory over the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on Saturday afternoon at Jana McGinnis Field to win its second series of conference play this season.

The Gamecocks (19-8, 4-1 CUSA) tallied seven hits as a team to tally their fourth win in a row and the seventh shutout win of the year. Head coach Julie Boland's squad has allowed just two runs in its last three games.

Jax State warmed up the bats early beginning with a leadoff double from Emma Elrod, followed by a single from Kailey Martin and a walk by Makalyn Kyser to quickly load the bases with just one out in the first. Amber Reed was the first batter to break the scoreless tie, ripping a single up the middle to bring home Martin for the first run of the game.

The Gamecocks added to the tally in the second frame after a two-RBI double by Morgan Nowakowski for her team-leading eleventh double of the year to make it a 3-0 game.

After a scoreless third, Martin added to the lead even further after a two-RBI double for herself to bring home Elrod and Jaci Underwood to put Jax State ahead by five runs in the fourth.

Senior Jaliyah Holmes controlled the circle for the Gamecocks and limited the Hilltoppers to just three hits throughout the matchup, picking up her seventh win of the season and 33^rd of her career in the process.

Holmes pitched all seven innings for her seventh complete game of the season and third shutout. The senior arm tallied four strikeouts and allowed just two walks in the weekend contest.

Six Gamecock batters tallied a hit against the Hilltoppers with Martin leading them all after going 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Additionally, Jax State picked up three doubles as a team as well.

The Gamecocks and the Hilltoppers will face off for the third and final game of the weekend series on Sunday morning at 11 a.m.