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MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Jacksonville State baseball team plated eight unanswered runs to register an 11-9 come-from-behind win over Morehead State in 13 innings on Friday evening at Allen Field.
The Gamecocks improve to 30-23 overall, 18-11 in OVC action and 12-13 on the road. The Eagles slip to 27-26 overall, 15-14 in league play and 12-8 at home. JSU has already secured a spot in this year's Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, while MSU's fate will be decided on Saturday.
Morehead State jumped out to a 9-3 advantage after five innings, but Jacksonville State answered with one run in the sixth, three in the eighth, two in the ninth and two in the 11th. The Eagles scored nine times over the first five frames, but were held scoreless over their final eight at-bats.
"Give Jacksonville State credit," Head Coach Mike McGuire said. "We didn't pitch as well as we normally do, but their offense had something to do with that. We got off to a good start, but went flat and they continued to battle. The lesson learned today is no lead is safe in our ballpark."
Sophomore designated hitter Paschal Petrongolo belted a two-run homer to tie the game in the ninth. The Gamecocks took the lead in the 13th on an error. Senior second baseman Eddie Mora-Loera score the game's final run moments later on a single by senior right fielder Griff Gordon.
Jacksonville State's final three pitchers combined on eight scoreless innings. Junior right-hander Travis Stout, who allowed just four hits and four walks in 4.1 innings, earned the win. Sophomore right-hander Graham Officer, who recorded the game's last two outs, notched the save.
Gordon finished 5-for-8 with two runs and three RBI. Three Gamecocks posted three hits apiece.
Both teams registered 17 base knocks, and the contest featured 10 extra-base hits. Jacksonville State stranded 18 runners, while Morehead State left 19. The Gamecocks stranded at least one runner in 10 different innings, while the Eagles left at least one in 11 different frames.
Morehead State's pitching staff combined on 18 strikeouts, while its hitters only fanned five times. Â Junior first baseman Kane Sweeney paced the Eagles with four hits and three runs, while junior catcher Chris Robinson tallied all of his game-best five RBI in the first two innings.
The game began at 4 p.m. ET and didn't finish until 9:01 p.m. That included a 30-minute rain delay in the top of the 13th.
Morehead State and Jacksonville State close out their three-game series on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. The Eagles will qualify for the OVC Tournament with a win. MSU will need help with a loss. OVCSports.com and MSUEagles.com will have details on the league tournament late Saturday.
"We need to come out and take care of business on Saturday," McGuire added. "If we play well and win, there will be nothing to worry about. If we don't play well and lose, the situation gets taken out of our hands. We don't want to leave our tournament fate up to other games and teams."
Jeff Birkofer, Bobby Burns, Noah Smallwood and Dan Hyatt will be honored prior to Saturday's game as part of Senior Day. MSU will also host an End of the Year Bash. Everyone in attendance will receive free ice cream, plus children 12-and-under will be admitted free with a paid adult.
