MIAMI — Jax State softball's conference win streak has bloomed to eight games after the Gamecocks defeated the FIU Panthers 9-3 at Felsberg Field on Friday night for game one of a three-game series.

Jax State (24-10, 9-1 CUSA) scored in every single inning except for the opening frame, as a result of 10 hits as a team, its second-highest hit total in conference play so far. Overall, eight different Gamecocks tallied at least one base hit throughout the evening.

Head coach Julie Boland's squad had a very efficient night with runners in scoring position, converting 5-of-11 (.455) of those at-bats, compared to FIU batting just 2-for-7 (.286) with runners in scoring position.

Following a scoreless first inning, the Gamecocks broke the tie with Aria Davis's home run out to left field to bring home the first two runs of the game. The homer was Davis's first of the season and fourth of her career. However, the Panthers were able to retaliate in the bottom of the frame with an RBI single to make it a 2-1 game.

Jax State added another in the third frame, via a solo home run by Morgan Nowakowski, marking the third time this season that the Gamecocks have hit at least two home runs in the same game. Once again, FIU battled back and plated one run after an RBI single to keep the contest within a one-run margin.

Needing a spark, Jax State got what it wanted in the fourth after a two-RBI single by Emma Elrod, followed by an RBI single by Amber Reed put Boland's squad ahead with a 6-2 lead at the midpoint of the game.

The Gamecocks proceeded to score one run each in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, including RBI singles from Haleigh Cushingberry and Amber Reed, while FIU only managed one score in the sixth inning, which would be its last.

In the circle, freshman Makenna Moore picked up her ninth win of the season, bringing her season record to 9-1. Moore pitched six innings, allowing three runs off five hits and five walks, along with tallying four strikeouts throughout the night. Junior MacKinley Portillo came in to close in the seventh inning and forced the Panthers to go three up, three down to secure the win.

Nowakowski and Reed led Jax State at the plate, each picking up two hits and combining for three RBIs between the pair. Additionally, Elrod, Reed and Davis were responsible for two RBIs apiece.

The Gamecocks will take on FIU for a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, with the first game beginning at 1 p.m., and the second game to follow immediately after.