By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

JACKSONVILLE, Ala.—The Tennesee Tech softball team (8-18, 0-3 OVC) rounded out their first conference series with an 8-3 loss to Jacksonville State (12-12, 3-0 OVC).

The Golden Eagles wasted no time getting on the board. With two on and one down in the top of the first, Alyssa Richards came up to the plate and singled through the left side to score the first Tech run. Jacksonville State tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second when the Gamecocks' Jordan Bullock reached on a fielding error allowing a JSU runner to score.

The Gamecocks took the lead in the bottom of the third when bases were loaded and a walk brought in a JSU runner. The Gamecocks went on a scoring run in the bottom of the fifth when JSU extended their lead to 8-1 off of fifth off of two JSU doubles, a sacrifice fly, and two singles.

The Golden Eagles added one run in the top of the sixth when Sabrie Neeb singled to second base to drive in Fry and cut the score to 8-2. And then rounded out an 8-3 game in the top of the seventh when Jessie Lowery doubled to left center to get on base and set up Cortney Fry to single to left field to drive in Lowery.

Danielle Liberatore (5-9) suffered the loss pitching 4.1 innings and allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three and walking one. Whitney Gillespie (2-1) saw victory for the Gamecocks pitching all seven innings and allowing three runs on nine hits while striking out eight and walking one.

The Golden Eagles return to action on March 25, when Tech hosts a double header versus SIUE at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at the Tech Softball Field.