JACKSONVILLE – Jax State earned its first run-rule victory in Conference USA play since March 22 to clinch the series over FIU, 13-1, on Saturday afternoon at Jim Case Stadium.
The Gamecocks plated 10 runs between the third and fifth innings en route to the 12-run win.
Beau Bryans earned his fourth win of the season with a quality start, scattering four hits across six innings, only allowing a single run in the top of the first before shutting down the Panthers the rest of the way. Bryans added seven strikeouts to his season ledger, now with 37 for the season.
FIU's Enrique Sierra took his fifth loss of the year to fall to 2-5, getting chased after two innings with six runs on the board.
After conceding an RBI-single to FIU in the opening inning, the Gamecocks scored 13-unanswered, starting with an RBI-single by
Brady Thomas in the bottom of the first. The bottom of the second saw Jax State take the lead at 2-1 with a
Matthew Cash sac fly.
In the bottom of the third inning, Thomas began the scoring with his second RBI-knock of the day right before
Grayson Ashe plated two with an RBI-single straight up the middle. The fourth and final run of the inning scored when Ashe returned home on a wild pitch, making it 6-1 after three.
Ashe opened the bottom of the fourth inning with his third RBI of the day on a infield hit, followed by
Trey King, who reached on a bunt single back at the pitcher, scoring
Cooper Blauser.
Luke Williams drove Thomas home on a sac bunt to wrap up the fourth inning with the Gamecocks on top, 9-1.
Ashe, again, opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning, with an infield single, scoring
Jaxon Pate to hit the 10-run mark. Back-to-back bases loaded walks by King and Williams brought the score to 12-1 after five.
A fielder's choice that turned into a double play in te bottom of the sixth scored
Ace Williamson, giving the Gamecocks a 13-1 lead after six, only needing three outs to finish off the game early.
Maddox McDougall faced only four batters in the top of the seventh, inducing a groundout and a strikeout before a pinch hitter walked, but a groundout to first base finished the game off.
Trey King led the offense with a three-for-three performance, scoring a run and tallying two RBI and a walk. Ashe went three-for-four with four RBI and a run scored.
The Gamecocks look for its fifth CUSA sweep on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 am CT from Jim Case Stadium.
