Jacksonville State showed why it has one of the top home run teams in the country with an offensive outburst against Eastern on Sunday.

JSU sophomore first baseman Nikki Prier hit a grand slam in the bottom of the second inning against Eastern junior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby.

Prier’s home run helped take Jacksonville State to an 11-1 victory in five innings in Jacksonville, Ala.

The Gamecocks (29-13, 16-4 Ohio Valley Conference) took the season series and maintained their lead in the league.

Jacoby’s first pitch of the game resulted in a home run for JSU sophomore center fielder Chrissy O’Neal, who blasted the pitch over the wall in right-center field.

Jacoby (5-7) only lasted 1 2/3 innings, and the Panthers (15-20, 8-6) used all four pitchers in the final game of the three-game series.

“We just had a rough day on the pitching mound,” Schuette said. “It was tough to come back. Our girls fought harder. It’s hard to defend walks and home runs. We have to find ways to win.”

Eastern’s lone run came in the top of the fourth.

Eastern freshman first baseman Melinda Jackson doubled and scored Eastern junior second baseman Sarah Coppert.

Saturday’s second game

Jacksonville State 4, Eastern 2

Eastern allowed a JSU rally in the bottom of the seventh inning with two home runs off senior pitcher Ashley Robison.

The Gamecocks used those home runs to score all four of their runs en route to a 4-2 victory.

JSU sophomore shortstop Mary Beth Ledbetter hit a two-run home run to right-center field to tie the game, and senior left fielder Rachel Fleming hit a two-run home run to left-center field to win the game.

Eastern had one home run of its own when senior right fielder Robyn Mackie hit one to left field in the top of the third inning.

Saturday’s first game

Eastern 5, Jacksonville State 4

Eastern sophomore center fielder Denee’ Menzione homered in the top of the seventh to drive in two runs and give the Panthers a 5-4 win in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Menzione, who leads the team with six home runs, hit the ball on a 3-2 count with two outs.

“She battled,” Schuette said. “It was exciting.”

Menzione is sixth all-time in career home runs (10).

Coppert also hit a home run in the win when she drilled the first pitch she saw in the third inning to right-center field.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.