TROY, Ala. (Interstat) — Caleb Johnson’s three-run homer in a chaotic fourth inning provided the decisive runs as Jacksonville State weathered an early Troy rally and a dominant relief performance by the Trojans’ Hayden Smith to secure a 5-4 victory Tuesday night at Riddle-Pace Field.

The Gamecocks (34-8) saw an early five-run lead evaporate in a messy first inning but responded immediately to reclaim the lead for good. The win extended Jacksonville State’s strong midseason form, while Troy fell to 20-21.

The game’s pivotal sequence began in the top of the fourth with Jacksonville State clinging to a 5-4 advantage. After loading the bases with one out, the Gamecocks scratched across a run on a bases-loaded walk to Williams, making it 6-4. Pate followed with a sacrifice fly to left, bringing in another run. Johnson then stepped in and delivered the crushing blow, launching his seventh home run of the season deep to right field for a three-run shot that stretched the lead to 9-4.

That offensive outburst was necessary after a nightmarish bottom of the first for Jacksonville State starter Ace Ty. The Gamecocks had jumped ahead 5-0 before even recording an out in the frame, but Troy answered in its half. After a walk, a hit batter and an error loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed the first run to score. Catcher Jimmy Janicki then erased the deficit entirely, crushing a three-run homer to deep right field, his 12th of the year, to bring Troy within a run.

Jacksonville State’s bullpen took over from there, delivering nine innings of shutout, one-hit relief to silence the Trojans’ bats. The combination of Maddox McDougall, Chase Horst, Jud Files, Jackson Sleeper and Skyler Hutto was impeccable, retiring 27 of the final 31 batters they faced. Files (3-0) earned the win with three perfect innings of work, striking out one. Hutto picked up his first save.

Troy reliever Hayden Smith was equally brilliant in a losing effort. Entering in the fifth inning, Smith stifled the Gamecocks over five hitless frames, striking out three and walking one. His effort kept the Trojans within striking distance after the early fireworks.

Troy threatened in the ninth against Hutto. Book led off with an infield single, but Jacksonville State successfully challenged the safe call, resulting in an out. Darnell then grounded into a game-ending double play.

Johnson finished 2 for 4 with the homer and three RBIs to lead Jacksonville State’s eight-hit attack. Janicki’s first-inning homer accounted for all three of Troy’s RBIs.

The Gamecocks continue their season with a home series against New Mexico State beginning Friday. Troy travels to face Marshall in a weekend series starting the same day.