JACKSONVILLE – The Gamecocks welcome the New Mexico State Aggies to Jim Case Stadium for a three-game Conference USA series. The two clubs meet for only the third time ever this weekend.
Jax State is riding into this weekend's series with 5-4 midweek win over in-state rival Troy, improving their record to 34-8. In the win over Troy, Caleb Johnson ignited the Gamecocks offense by blasting a 369-foot three-run home run over the right-field wall to give Jax State the lead at 5-4, the eventual final. Gamecock reliever Skyler Hutto would snag his 10th save of this season, tied for second in Division I baseball, only behind Oregon State reliever Albert Roblez, who has 11 on the season.
New Mexico State also won their midweek contest at No. 25 Arizona State in an 11-inning thriller, 11-10, making their overall record 17-22. Helping NMSU this season offensively is Las Cruses native Steve Solorzano, who leads CUSA in doubles this season thus far with 17. He holds the team's second highest average at the plate, batting .313, only behind teammate Aiden Taclas, who holds a .317 average.
The Gamecocks will look to take advantage of New Mexico State's 3-13 away record, while Jax State aims to protect Jim Case Stadium as they boast a 20-4 home record. Jax State currently leads CUSA in ERA at 3.54, which is eighth in Division I. New Mexico State has a 7.52 team ERA and sits at the bottom of the conference.
Jax State players Eli Pillsbury and Grayson Ashe have taken home some personal accolades in recent days. Pillsbury was named Midsesaon All-America by D1Baseball (2nd Team) and Perfect Game (3rd Team), while Grayson Ashe was named to the Buster Posey Award Midseason Watchlist. This week, Pillsbury was named a National Pitcher of the Week Semifinalist by the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Jax State's starting pitching on the weekends has been nothing short of spectacular. Eli Pillsbury, Beau Bryans, and Steven Cash all carry ERAs under 3.50 and all have 45+ strikeouts through this point of the year. Last week against FIU, all three had quality starts against the Panthers, including a career-long outing from Pillsbury (8.0 IP) and a career-high in Ks from Cash (13). The Gamecocks boast the only pitching rotation in CUSA to have all of its starters named Pitcher of the Week.
Skyler Hutto was named to the NCBWA Midseason Stopper of the Year Watchlist on Wednesday. Hutto is second in Division I with 10 saves and has a WHIP of .83.
Jax State will trot out its familiar rotation of lefties, starting with Pillsbury on Friday, Bryans on Saturday, and Cash on Sunday. New Mexico State has announced two-thirds of its rotation, opening the series with southpaw Connor Wylde on Friday and right-hander Jack Turner on Saturday. The Aggies Sunday starter is TBA.
Broadcasts will be available on ESPN+ for all three games, while Mike Parris will have the call on the Gamecock Sports Network via radio. As always, you can follow live stats and Jax State Baseball on X (@JaxStateBB) for updates.
A reminder to fans that the time of Saturday and Sunday's games have been adjusted. Saturday will now begin at 2 p.m., with Sunday's game moving up to an 11 a.m. first pitch.
