JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — The Jacksonville State Gamecocks overcame an early four-run deficit, using a five-run fifth inning to rally past the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 7-4 in non-conference baseball Wednesday afternoon at Rudy Abbott Field.

The Gamecocks (7-2) extended their winning streak to four games, while the Delta Devils (0-6) remained winless on the young season. The outcome defied the early narrative, as Mississippi Valley State’s offense, which had been held to just three runs in a loss to Jacksonville State a day earlier, erupted in the fourth inning.

After three scoreless frames, the Delta Devils broke through against Jacksonville State starter T. Waldron. E. Williams led off the top of the fourth with a solo home run to left field. J. Haynes followed with a double, and Ja. Jones drove him in with another double down the left field line. Two batters later, designated hitter Noah Bufford launched a two-run homer to left center, staking the visitors to a 4-0 lead.

The Delta Devils managed only five hits in the game, with three coming in that decisive fourth-inning outburst.

Jacksonville State began chipping away immediately in the bottom half of the inning. Caleb Johnson doubled, stole third and scored on a sacrifice bunt by M. Cash, cutting the lead to 4-1.

The turning point came in the bottom of the fifth. The Gamecocks sent 11 men to the plate, capitalizing on patience and timely hitting to seize control. T. King walked, C. Blauser doubled and B. Thomas was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. S. Richardso drew a walk to force in a run, and J. Pate and R. Stevens followed with consecutive sacrifice flies to tie the game at 4-4. The final run of the inning crossed when Johnson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving Jacksonville State a 5-4 advantage it would not relinquish.

The Gamecocks added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the seventh, G. Ashe delivered an RBI single to score M. Cash, who had reached on an error. In the eighth, S. Richardso singled home O. Pena to provide the final margin.

While the Jacksonville State offense produced seven hits, its bullpen was the story of the latter innings. After the Delta Devils’ big fourth, five Gamecocks relievers combined to throw 5 1/3 perfect innings, retiring all 16 batters they faced. Jackson Evers, Sam Schmidt, Skyler Hutto and Owen Arndt were particularly dominant, striking out seven batters between them without allowing a baserunner. Schmidt struck out the side in the eighth.

Mississippi Valley State’s bullpen also found success after a rocky start. Starter Lucas Valencia allowed two earned runs over three innings, but relievers Ethan Fuller, Kobe Ladd and Clint Lafferty combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three to keep the game within reach.

The Gamecocks’ two sacrifice flies were critical in the comeback, and they ran aggressively, stealing four bases. Johnson finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and two stolen bases for Jacksonville State.

The win continued a strong start for Jacksonville State, which will travel to Memphis for a three-game series starting Friday. Mississippi Valley State, still seeking its first victory, will head to Jackson, Mississippi, for a weekend tournament, facing UNC Asheville on Friday.