JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (Interstat) — Beau Bryans pitched seven strong innings as Jacksonville State defeated Kennesaw State 5-4 on Saturday at Rudy Abbott Field, avenging a loss to the Owls the previous day.

Bryans allowed one earned run on five hits with five strikeouts. Brady Thomas homered to right-center in the second inning, driving in two runs. Caleb Johnson doubled home the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Kennesaw State’s Charlie Jones homered in the fifth, but the Owls’ four-run rally was marred by two unearned runs on wild pitches. Owls starter Harry Cain gave up four runs in five innings despite allowing zero hits.

Jacksonville State improved to 39-11 overall, 24-23 for Kennesaw State. The Gamecocks got eight hits; the Owls had five. Skyler Hutto and Peter Jezerinac each pitched scoreless relief.

The Conference USA series concludes Sunday.