East Central Alabama News

South Alabama broke up a 3-3 game in the top of the ninth to claim the opening game of the weekend series, 6-3, over Jacksonville State on Friday night at Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.

After the Gamecocks (4-10) erased a 3-1 deficit with a pair of runs in the eighth inning, the Jaguars (8-6) took advantage of a leadoff walk, a throwing miscue on a sacrifice bunt to kick start the ninth inning. USA regained the lead on a sacrifice fly from Will Turner before an RBI single and an RBI double gave the visitors from Mobile a three-run cushion.

Jax State, who was held off the scoreboard for the first six innings, had an RBI single by freshman catcher Bear Madliak, who was slotted in the leadoff spot for the first time this season. The move paid off as Madliak had three hits in the contest. In the Gamecocks' eighth inning, junior Mason Maners was plunked to start the inning, followed by a single by senior T.J. Reeves. With one down in the inning, junior Javon Hernandez reached on an infield single and a throwing error by the Jags moved the runners up a base. Freshman Caleb Johnson put the ball in play on the left side, which was misplayed by USA, scoring the tying run. After pinch hitter and Mobile native, Jarrett Eaton walked to load the bases, USA's Grant Wood recorded one of his four strikeouts to keep the game level.

The loss spoiled another stellar pitching performance by Jax State starter AJ Causey. The Harvest Alabama native went the first 7.0 innings, scattered five Jaguar hits and established a new career high for strikeouts with 11 in the outing. Last week against Bradley, Causey tallied 10 strikeouts. He was touched for a run in the fifth and seventh. Junior Josh Sibley pitched an inning before Reid Fagerstrom and Austin Cornelius combined to finish the ninth inning. Fagerstrom was saddled with the loss (0-2).

Sophomore Brennen Norton looks like he is returning to the hitter he was as an all-conference selection to the freshman squad a season ago in the ASUN. After collecting five hits during the midweek outings against Alabama State and Auburn, the Cullman, Alabama product posted his third straight multi-hit game with a pair of singles.

Maners did not waste time extending the pair of streaks that he is currently on as he reached base with a two-out single in the first inning. Maners has now reached base in 26 consecutive games dating back to the last 12 games of the 2022 season. He also pushed his hitting streak to 14 consecutive games.

The Gamecocks and Jags will have a long Saturday at the park with a twinbill on Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. The second game will start 30-45 minutes following the conclusion of the first game. JSU and USA are playing the final two games of the series on Saturday due to the wet forecast for Sunday.

Tickets are available online at JSUGamecockSports.com. All Jax State students and fans 18 years old and younger are admitted free. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+ and carried on the Gamecock Sports Network.
  

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