(Interstat) — The Gamecocks struck first as Jaxon Pate homered in the top of the first, but the Patriots answered with a sacrifice fly and a Luke Pettitte homer in the bottom half. Jacksonville State added three runs in the third, including a Brady Thomas RBI single, to extend the lead to 6-2.

Dallas Baptist then erupted for five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run single from Jake Ben and an RBI double by Keaton Grady, tying the game at 6-6. Dylan Schlaegel’s two-run homer in the fourth gave the Patriots the lead for good, and Ben added a sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Patriots pitcher Russ Smith earned the win, tossing five innings and allowing one hit with four strikeouts. Pettitte went 3-for-5 with a homer and an RBI. Thomas and Pate each homered for Jacksonville State, which fell to 41-13. Dallas Baptist improved to 31-23. The teams meet again Saturday.