COLUMBIA, S.C. (Feb. 25, 2007) - The ETSU softball team ran into problems with yet another Gamecock team for the second straight day as they lost to Jacksonville State, 5-1, in the final game of the Gamecock Invitational on Sunday. The Bucs and Gamecocks squared off in the consolation game, but rain poured through Beckham Field in the third inning, making it an unofficial contest and ending the tournament.

After sweeping Furman in the season opener the Bucs have lost seven of their last eight games and fall to 3-7 overall, while Jacksonville State moves to 6-4. Host South Carolina won the two-day tournament going a perfect 3-0 on the weekend.

The Bucs could not get anything going against Jacksonville State as they were limited to only one run on three hits. The Gamecocks pushed a run across the plate in the first two innings, which was all they needed to win the game.

Rachel Felming got Jacksonville State going as she led off the game with a double and scored two plays later when freshman Trisha Massenzo (Russellville, Tenn.) was charged with a throwing error. Mary Catherine Vercoe (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) then loaded the bases but worked out of the jam by getting Allie Barker out on strikes. Another leadoff double in the top of the second led to the Gamecocks' second run, eventually being the only offense Jacksonville State would need. ETSU's lone run came in the fifth when Briana Knight (Brier, Wash.) walked and scored two plays later on a throwing error by Jackie Jarmon.

The Bucs had base runners in five of the seven innings, but they could not figure out Jacksonville State's Karla Pittman as sent seven ETSU hitters down on strikes. Unfortunately, the Gamecocks had Vercoe's number as she suffered her fourth straight loss, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 6.1 IP.

            The Bucs will play in their third tournament of the season when they head to Woodstock, Ga. to take part in the Buzz Classic next weekend. ETSU and Morehead State will start things off in Pool 3 at 10 a.m. on Field 3. The Classic is being hosted by Georgia Tech University.