HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jax State drove in two runs on three hits in the bottom half of the first to take the early lead.
- Kyle Hayes came aboard with a leadoff double in the second and a one out double to left center from Daniel Stewart put WKU on the board.
- The Gamecocks plated four runs in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead.
- A pair of hits in the fifth inning that each scored a run extended the Jax State lead to 8-1.
- Two more runs would cross in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it a 10-1 ballgame.
- WKU loaded the bases in the ninth and Hayden Nazarenus entered as a pinch hitter and his base hit up the middle scored the final two runs of the game.
NOTABLES
- With the loss WKU drops to 13-9 (3-1 CUSA) on the year.
- The Hilltoppers are now 6-9 all-time against the Gamecocks.
- Gavin Perry got the starting nod for the Hilltoppers Friday night. The Oceanside, Calif. native finished with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work allowing six runs on seven hits.
- Gage Olsen and Trey Reinburg both saw action out of the bullpen for WKU.
- Reinburg had a season high 3.2 innings of work in relief on Friday. The Nashville, Ill. native finished with two strikeouts and no walks with two runs allowed (none earned) on five hits.
- Daniel Stewart was the designated hitter on Friday and went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
- Kyle Hayes also went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
- Hayden Nazarenus pinch hit on Friday and went 1-for-1 with a two-RBI single.
- Friday marked the third game this season that Nazarenus has driven in two runs.
NEXT UP
WKU will continue a three-game set with the Gamecocks for game two on Saturday, March 21. First pitch from Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium is set for 2 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+.
How to follow WKU Baseball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Baseball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Baseball on X and @WKUBaseball on Instagram.
