KENNESAW, Ga. (Interstat) — Chayton Krauss launched a two-run homer in the top of the first inning, but the Jacksonville State Gamecocks rallied for a 6-5 walk-off victory over the Dallas Baptist Patriots on Saturday afternoon at Fred Stillwell Stadium.

The Gamecocks improved to 45-13 overall and 22-5 in Conference USA play, while the Patriots dropped to 32-26 and 17-12.

Krauss’ homer gave Dallas Baptist an early lead, scoring Ben Tryon, who had reached on a fielder’s choice. The Patriots added a run in the third when Dylan Schlaegel doubled to right field, driving in Tryon, who had been hit by a pitch. Dallas Baptist led 3-0 after three innings.

Jacksonville State answered in the bottom of the first with a run on a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly. The Gamecocks chipped away again in the fifth, scoring two runs on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Caleb Johnson and an RBI double by Trey King, trimming the deficit to 3-3.

Dallas Baptist regained the lead in the sixth when Mac Rose walked, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Luke Pettitte. The Patriots led 4-3.

The Gamecocks tied the game in the seventh. Caleb Johnson was hit by a pitch, stole second, moved to third on a flyout and scored on a single by Grayson Ashe. In the eighth, Jacksonville State tied it again. Luke Williams singled to drive in pinch runner Ace Williams, who had walked and stolen second.

The Patriots took a 5-4 lead in the top of the ninth. Tryon led off with a double and scored on a double by Brooks Sartain. But the Gamecocks responded in the bottom half.

Caleb Johnson singled to lead off the ninth. After a flyout, Ashe walked. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Brady Thomas was intentionally walked to load the bases. Cooper Blauser then drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in Johnson with the winning run.

Russ Smith started for Dallas Baptist and pitched 4.2 innings, allowing three earned runs with five strikeouts and no hits. Max Luzarraga followed with two scoreless innings, striking out none. Dillon Haines and Athan Kroll each recorded outs, but Kroll allowed two earned runs in 1.1 innings.

For Jacksonville State, Ryan Geraghty threw three innings of relief, allowing one earned run on two hits with five strikeouts. Maddox McDougall contributed two scoreless innings, surrendering one hit with two strikeouts. Skyler Hutto recorded two outs without allowing a run.

Krauss finished 1 for 5 with the home run and two RBIs. Tryon was 2 for 4 with three runs scored. Schlaegel went 1 for 3 with an RBI and two walks.

For the Gamecocks, Johnson scored twice and drove in a run. Luke Williams had three hits and an RBI. King doubled and drove in a run.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Jacksonville State 7, Dallas Baptist 5, but Interstat’s ELO system gave the Patriots a 61.30 percent probability to win.