GAME 1 BOX SCORE  |  GAME 2 BOX SCORE

MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Jacksonville State softball team claimed a 9-4 win in the opener before dropping a 4-3 decision in the finale of a doubleheader split at first-place Morehead State on Saturday.

In the opener, the Gamecocks (18-16, 5-6 Ohio Valley Conference) got four runs in the fourth and five more in the seventh in claiming the first game of the series with the Eagles (19-15, 9-3 OVC), who entered the weekend tied atop the league standings.

In that fourth inning, JSU used back-to-back home runs from senior Hillary Downs and junior Amanda Crow to take a 4-0 lead and control of the game. Downs belted a three-run shot to start the rally and then watch Crow follow with a solo homer to cap an inning that all started after two outs were recorded.

The Eagles plated one run in each the fourth and fifth innings before freshman Kelci Johnston connected on a grand slam that cleared the wall in right center. The native of Northport, Ala., gave the Gamecocks an 8-2 lead in that final inning, just before senior Nikki Prier added an insurance run on a MSU error, the Eagles' second of the game.

Prier and Downs each went 2-for-4 in the game, with Downs driving in three runs and Johnston a team-high four.

Junior Ashley Eliasson earned the win after recording all but one out in the game. The Vallejo, Calif., native surrendered four runs, three earned, on six hits before freshman Hilary Phillips came on to close the door in the seventh after the Eagles cut into the lead with a pair of late runs.

Kayla Brill homered to lead the MSU offense, while Elizabeth Wagner added a pair of hits in four at bats.

Alex Gjevre suffered the loss after giving up nine runs, seven earned, on eight hits in six innings in the circle. She walked four and struck out five before making way for Ashley Boyd. She walked one and fanned two in one inning of work.

In the day's second game, the Gamecocks got two hits from freshman Krystal Ruth, including a solo home run, but they couldn't catch up after falling behind 4-2 to the Eagles.

Trailing by one in the seventh, JSU put two runners on with two outs but MSU pitcher Gjevre struck out Downs to thwart the Gamecocks' threat. The Gamecocks put together eight hits in the losing effort, led by Ruth and senior Chrissy O'Neal's two hits apiece. Downs was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

The Eagles got five hits but a three-run blast from Amber Riddle in the third proved to be the difference maker in the game. Gjevre earned the save after working the seventh in relief of Sarah Funston, who allowed three runs, one earned, on eight hits in six innings in the circle.

Phillips surrendered all four Morehead State runs in three innings of work. The Ider, Ala., native allowed four hits while walking three and striking out two before giving way to Eliasson. She entered the game and held the Eagles scoreless on just one hit while fanning four batters in three innings of work.

The two will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday at 12 p.m. CT. JSU will return home on Wednesday to host Tennessee Tech in a single OVC game at 4 p.m.