HATTIESBURG, Miss. (Interstat) — Jacksonville State built an early lead and held on to beat Virginia 7-6 in a playoff game Sunday evening at Pete Taylor Park. The Gamecocks (48-14) jumped ahead 4-0 in the bottom of the second when Sam Richardson crushed a grand slam, his ninth home run of the season. They added three runs in the seventh, including a two-run double by Cooper Blauser, who finished 4 for 4 with two RBIs. Starting pitcher Steven Cash allowed five hits and three earned runs over seven innings while striking out 10 to earn the win. Relievers Josh Sibley and others combined for two scoreless innings to preserve the victory. The Cavaliers (37-23) mounted a furious rally in the eighth, scoring six runs. Jake Weatherspoon doubled to drive in three, and Eric Becker followed with a two-run double, but the comeback fell short. Virginia’s Thomas Stewart tossed three hitless innings in relief.