FINAL STATS

JACKSONVILLE – Andrew Edge's two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Jacksonville State claimed a 7-6 win over UAB at Young Memorial Field on Tuesday.

Bill Henke (3-1) allowed just one hit in three innings on the mound to earn the win, while Todd Hornsby recorded the final six outs to earn this third save of the year. UAB's Blake Huddleston gave up just two hits to get stuck with the loss for the Blazers.

UAB took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Jamal Austin scored on a Malcolm Thomas wild pitch to give the Blazers the early lead, but the Gamecocks answered in the third inning.

Steven Leach and Kyle Bluestein each drove in a pair of runs with two outs to give the Gamecocks a 4-1 lead, but the Blazers tied the game in the home half of the third after Jonathan Merritt hit a three-run homer.

UAB took a 5-4 lead in the fourth inning when Austin scored on a sacrifice fly, but the Gamecocks took the lead for good in the sixth inning.

Sam Eberle had a RBI double to tie the game at 5-5, then Edge hit a two-run home run to right center field to give the Gamecocks a 7-5 lead.

The Blazers scored their final run on a double play as JSU reliever Cody Ponder got out of a bases loaded jam after getting Digger Towe to pop out to third to strand the tying run on third.

UAB got the lead-off batter on in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Bert Smith made the defensive play of the game by snagging grounder up the middle and getting the out at second before throwing out Crawford for a double play.

Bluestein led the Gamecocks at the plate with a pair of hits, while Bert Smith recorded his 300th career hit with a single in the third inning.

The Gamecocks will play their final home game of the season on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. against the Blazers. JSU will honor its eight seniors prior to the game at Rudy Abbott Field.