JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — The Jax State suffered its first conference loss since March 7, falling 5-3 to the New Mexico State Aggies on Friday night at Jana McGinnis Field in the second game of the three-game series.

The Gamecocks (28-11, 12-2 CUSA) saw a four-run deficit in the sixth inning, but a late rally in the frame would not be enough to overcome the margin. The loss is Jax State's first home loss since Feb. 22.

The Aggies (19-18, 8-5 CUSA) struck first on the scoreboard with a solo home run in the top of the first and piled on two more in the fourth to jump out to a 3-0 lead at the midpoint of the contest. The Gamecocks struggled to bring runners home, leaving six on base across the opening three innings.

New Mexico State plated one more in the fifth to add to the lead, in which Jax State could not muster a response to until the sixth inning. In the frame, Chaney Peters led off with a pinch-hitting infield single which sparked a three-run, four-hit inning by the Gamecocks, highlighted by an RBI triple by Aria Davis.

Despite Jax State cutting the deficit down to just one score, the Aggies were not quite done yet as they plated one more run in the seventh to extend the small lead and secure the victory.

Both squads picked up eight hits each in the contest, but New Mexico State left four runners on base compared to nine stranded runners for the Gamecocks. Morgan Nowakowski and Davis were Jax State's leading batters, each tallying two hits throughout the evening, along with an RBI as well. Davis's triple was her first of the season and third of her career.

Senior Jaliyah Holmes suffered her first loss in the circle since Feb. 27 against Ole Miss. The veteran arm gave up four runs off five hits and three walks to New Mexico State across 4.2 innings of action.

The Gamecocks and the Aggies will face off once more in the rubber match on Saturday morning at 11 a.m.