Western Kentucky
Next Game:
vs. Western Kentucky
5/25/2025 | 12:00 PM
May. 25 (Sun) / 12:00 PM
Western Kentucky
vs. Western Kentucky
LYNCHBURG, Va. – Freshman Matthew Cash's two-out, two-run single in the eighth propelled Jacksonville State into the 2025 Conference USA Championship game on Sunday after eliminating top-seeded and No. 13 Dallas Baptist, 5-3, on Saturday night on Worthington Field at the Liberty Baseball Stadium.
Jax State put together a probable run to the title game against No. 2 seed Western Kentucky after knocking off DBU twice on Saturday. The Gamecocks forced the 'if necessary' game with an 11-7 win. After a short break, the two clubs faced off again on Saturday night.
Cash greeted the new Patriot pitcher, Luke Pettitte, with a roped single down the right field line to break up a 3-3 contest in the eighth inning. Cash delivered three RBI in the contest after a productive out in a two-run sixth inning for Jax State.
Like earlier in the day, Jax State took the first lead with a run in the fourth inning. Junior catcher, who finished the day with a pair of big hits, drove in the first run in the nightcap. In the first game, his two-run home run in the ninth padded the Gamecocks advantage. He finished the day with three RBI.
DBU, who scored all three runs off the home run ball, matched the Gamecocks with Ben Tryon's second home run of the day in the fifth inning. After Cash's RBI ground out to the right side, Jax State pushed a second in the sixth inning on a wild pitch.
The Patriots answered with the second home run of the night, putting the game in a 3-3 deadlock.
The second time on Saturday, Jax State had a quality start on the mound. Junior James Wilson tossed the first four innings and allowed two of DBU's hits and the lone home run in the fourth. He finished the outing with four strikeouts. Junior Brice Deaton turned in a career night with 3.1 innings of work. He posted two more key strikeouts. The Pontotoc, Mississippi native picked up his second win of the season. Sophomore Ryan Geraghty finished the final 1.2 innings with a strikeout. He recorded his first save as a Gamecock.
The trio of Jax State pitchers induced 10 ground ball outs and the defense behind them turned four double plays in the two games against DBU on Saturday.
Senior Drew Collins and junior Brady Thomas registered two hits each in the contest.'
Jax State will be looking for its first CUSA Baseball Championship when it battles the Hilltoppers on Sunday. WKU is making its first trip to the winner-take-all title game.
The Gamecocks will be looking for their sixth tournament championship after winning five crowns in the Ohio Valley Conference (2004, 2005, 2010, 2014, 2019). Prior to moving to the OVC, JSU won ASUN divisional titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Sunday's championship game will be carried on national television with CBS Sports Network carrying the game. The game will be on the Gamecock Sports Network.
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