Senior Alex Sallberg (8-14) and sophomore Peyton Hutchens combined to stifle JSU (36-10, 15-1 OVC) to only two runs through the first five innings of game one; however, Whitney Gillespie led off the top of the sixth with a solo home run to center field, sparking a four-run inning for the Gamecocks and putting the game out of reach.
Gillespie (17-4) also pitched a gem in the first game of the afternoon. The junior tossed a complete game shutout, surrendering only one hit and three walks.
Senior Amber Murray notched EKU’s only hit in the game, a single to lead off the bottom of the fifth.
The Gamecocks also received a stellar pitching performance in game two, as Taylor West (15-4) spun another complete game shutout, allowing only four hits and no walks.
Freshman Mollie Paulick held Jacksonville State scoreless through three frames, but a three-run run shot to right-center by Leila Chambers in the top of the fourth blew the game open.
An RBI double by Taylor Sloan and a solo home run by Jamie McGuire in the top of the fifth provided the Gamecocks some insurance runs.
Paulick tossed a complete game for the Colonels in game two, surrendering five runs on seven hits while striking out two batters.
Senior Krislyn Campos, junior Paige Murphy and sophomores Rachel Minogue and Hannah Clark all logged hits in game two for the Colonels.
EKU returns to action on Wednesday, May 3, when the Colonels host Western Kentucky in a doubleheader at Gertrude Hood Field starting at3:00 p.m.