The Gamecocks (28-29) will play top-seeded Austin Peay (34-22) at 3 p.m. at Pringles Park.
A win in that game will move JSU into Saturday – against the loser of today’s Southeast Missouri-Eastern Illinois battle of unbeatens – and give the Gamecocks a .500 record for the first time this season. A loss will end JSU’s season.
The Gamecocks were held to an infield single and two runners through the first five innings, but tied the game with three runs in the sixth and broke it open with five in the seventh.
Scott Underwood hit a two-run double and Ben Waldrip had a sacrifice fly in the sixth. Waldrip delivered the big blow in the seventh, a bases-loaded, three-run double that came within inches of being a grand slam.
Kyle Stone singled home the go-ahead run and Kyle Bluestein had an RBI double in the big inning. Bluestein had three hits in the game.
The Gamecocks added a single run in the eighth on an RBI single by Stone.
Hunter Rivers threw 123 pitches in eight innings (82 for strikes) to earn the win.
JSU’s projected starter for the 3 p.m. game was not immediately known. Austin Peay will start junior right-hander Casey Delgado (7-4, 6.13).
Sports Writer Al Muskewitz: 256-235-3577. On Twitter @JSUSports_Star
