WKU Baseball suffered its first Conference USA sweep at the hands of Jacksonville State this weekend. 

The Hilltoppers have fallen to 13-11 in the season and 3-3 in CUSA. 

Jax State’s explosive offense dominated the series, outhitting the Hilltoppers 35-15 and outscoring them 26-5. 

The Hilltoppers’ starting rotation was limited due to Jax State’s explosive offense, combining for just 8.1 innings while giving up 14 runs on 17 hits. 

Game 1

The Gamecocks dominated the series opener, defeating the Hilltoppers 10-3. 

Jax State took no time to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning, highlighted by three straight singles to begin the afternoon. 

Graduate starter Gavin Perry was run out of the game after four innings, giving up six runs on seven hits and one walk. Junior Greg Olsen relieved Perry but was taken out after just one out in the fifth after hitting a batter and giving up two hits and a walk. 

Junior Trey Reinburg pitched the final 3.2 innings, giving up two unearned runs on five hits while striking out two. 

Jax State took advantage of every opportunity they had, going 9-19 with runners on and improving to 7-14 when runners were in scoring position. Senior infielder Caleb Johnson highlighted the Gamecocks in the box, going 3-5, including a double and triple with four RBI. 

The Hilltoppers’ offense was silenced by the Gamecocks, hitting just 5-30 and just 3-22 against Jax State lefties. 

Game 2

Jax State continued their offensive production, defeating WKU 6-2 in game two of the series. 

The Gamecocks used a four-run third inning to climb over the Hilltoppers, taking advantage of a wild pitch thrown by Senior Aaron Roberston, followed by a two-run home run. Robertson would be taken out after the fourth inning as he gave up five runs on six hits while striking out four. 

WKU’s offense couldn’t turn around its performance from the day before, getting only five hits during game two while leaving nine runners on base. The Hilltoppers managed six walks, but only senior catcher Camden Ross’ walk was good for a run. Ross was brought in by a home run by senior Kyle Hayes in the eighth, but the effort was too late as WKU couldn’t manage a hit after the home run. 

The Hilltoppers hit 3-19 with runners on base, continuing their slump from game one. 

Game 3

Jax State closed out the series with a 10-0 eight-inning run-rule shutout win over the Hilltoppers. 

The Gamecocks took advantage of a three-run home run by redshirt junior Cooper Blauser. Jax State never looked back after the shot as they added two runs in the sixth with a sacrifice lineout by junior infielder Trey King, a bunt single by senior outfielder Williamson and a sac fly by junior outfielder Luke Williams. 

Redshirt sophomore Zach Serup was taken out after the Gamecocks’ three-run homer, only managing one out in his start. 

Graduate Nathan Lawson relieved Serup and kept the Gamecocks silent in his four innings, giving up just one hit. 

The Hilltopper offense couldn’t capitalize on Lawson’s hold as they were held to five hits and left eight on base. 

Jax State walked off with a run-rule win with a pair of two-RBI doubles by Blauser and redshirt junior catcher Grayson Ashe. 

WKU Baseball will return to action Tuesday, March 24, for an in-state clash against Louisville at Nick Denes Field. First pitch set for 6 p.m.