Lynchburg, Va. — After opening the weekend with a commanding victory on Friday, the Jax State softball team was unable to replicate the result on Saturday afternoon, falling 3-1 to the Liberty Flames at Kamphuis Field.

Despite solid pitching in the circle from MacKinley Portillo, the Gamecocks only managed to pick up two hits as a team, with Emma Elrod accounting for both of them.

Liberty put up the first run of the game off of a fielding error, but Jax State was able to respond immediately in the third frame after a sacrifice fly by Morgan Nowakowski scored Jaci Underwood for the team's only run of the day.

The Flames added one in the fourth off a squeeze play to make it a 2-1 game, before a solo home run in the sixth would extend the lead further.

The Gamecocks managed to load the bases in its last chance at the plate in the top of the seventh with two outs, but were unable to bring any runs across.

Elrod went 2-for-3 at the dish, along with a walk and two stolen bases as well. As a team, Jax State tallied eight walks, with Makalyn Kyser and Aria Davis picking up two each in the contest.

Portillo pitched six innings of action for the Gamecocks, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk.

Jax State will play the rubber match against the Flames on Sunday morning at 10 a.m. to decide the series.