Game 1 Box Score (HTML | PDF)
Game 2 Box Score (HTML | PDF)
MOREHEAD, KY. – Softballs were flying frequently over the fences at University Field Saturday as Morehead State and Jacksonville State split an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader. The teams combined for seven homers as the Gamecocks used a three-run blast and a grand slam to win the opener 9-4, while MSU got a three-run clout in the second game and held on to win 4-3.
The Eagles’ sit at 9-3 in the conference and 19-15 overall, while the Gamecocks’ mark is now 18-16 and 5-6 in the OVC race.
Spotting JSU a 2-0 first inning lead in the second contest, the Eagles took the lead for good on a three-run round-tripper to left field by freshman Amber Riddle – her seventh home run of the year – in the third inning.
JSU cut the lead to 4-3 in the top of the sixth on a solo homer from Krystal Ruth, but MSU pitcher Alex Gjevre came on to close the door in the seventh, striking out two to pick up her second save. It also allowed Gjevre to tie former Eagle Ashli White for most saves in a career with five. Sarah Funston improved to 8-6 as she allowed eight Gamecock hits and just one earned run in the first six innings.
Hillary Phillips took the loss, pitching the first three and getting charged with all four runs. Ashley Eliasson, who also picked up the pitching victory in the first game, finished the second game and tallied four strikeouts in three innings.
JSU opened the game with a Chrissy O’Neal triple to the fence in right field. On the play, as she was trying to stretch it into a triple, she appeared to be tagged out at third base on the relay throw. Her slide knocked the ball loose, and it scooted into the Eagle dugout to allow O’Neal to trot home for the 1-0 JSU lead. Hillary Downs added an RBI single to score Kelci Johnston as well.
MSU scored a run in the bottom of the first. On a double steal by Kayla Brill and Elizabeth Wagner, JSU’s throw from catcher Kaycee Crow ended up down the left field line, allowing Wagner to score.
The Gamecocks had the go-ahead run at the plate in the seventh after an error and a walk, but Gjevre struck out Downs to end the game.
O’Neal and Ruth had two hits each for JSU, while the Eagles managed five safeties.
In the opening game, Gjevre and Eliasson locked up in a pitcher’s duel for the first three innings. Gjevre retired the first 11 Gamecock batters before O’Neal broke up the perfect game with a single in the fourth. Sally Beth Burch drew a walk, and Downs launched a three-run homer. Amanda Crow followed with a solo shot over the fence in left field for a 4-0 JSU lead.
Brill got into the act in the bottom of the inning, hitting a solo homer to center field, and senior catcher Bianca Cardenas knocked one out over the center field wall in the fifth as the Eagles climbed back to within 4-2.
The Gamecocks blew the game wide open in the top of the seventh. Two walks and an error loaded the bases for Johnston. She hammered Gjevre’s pitch deep over the wall in right center for a grand slam and an 8-4 JSU advantage. The Gamecocks scored another on a fielding error later in the inning, but reliever Ashley Boyd was able to get MSU out of the inning with no more damage..
The Eagles were able to pick up a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. Bethany Ellis laced an RBI single to left field to score pinch runner Sam Sparks, and Sam Woodall plated Kayla Ashbrook with a sacrifice fly. MSU had the bases loaded, but Phillips came in to close the game and coax a ground out to end it.
Eliasson improved to 12-7, while Gjevre fell to 10-8. Nikki prier and Downs had a pair of hits each to lead JSU, while Wager tallied two of MSU’s six hits.
The teams will conclude the series on Sunday with a single game scheduled for 1 p.m.
