Jax State Opens Hattiesburg Regional with Dominant Win Over Virginia

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Head coach Steve Bieser of Jacksonville State is confident in his team’s abilities, and they showcased that confidence in their NCAA Tournament opener on Friday night. The Gamecocks, seeded third, took on second-seeded Virginia at Pete Taylor Park and secured a decisive 15-7 victory.

Despite entering the postseason with an impressive record of 46 wins and an RPI of 25, Jax State was placed as a No. 3 seed, a decision that surprised many observers. However, Bieser and his players chose not to dwell on the seeding. “We didn’t want to make a big deal out of that. We don’t need a whole lot of motivation from the outside,” Bieser remarked. “This group knew that, and that’s where they really created their bond.”

The Gamecocks set the tone early in the game with a two-run home run from junior second baseman Cooper Blauser in the second inning. Senior shortstop Caleb Johnson capped the scoring with another two-run blast in the ninth. Jax State’s trademark pressure strategy was evident throughout the game, particularly in the third inning where a series of bunts led to two runs. Their aggressive play continued in the fifth, highlighted by Johnson’s infield single and a double steal that triggered a five-run inning. On the mound, senior left-hander Beau Bryans held Virginia scoreless for the first four innings, allowing Jax State to build a commanding 9-0 lead before the Cavaliers responded. Johnson was a standout performer, finishing 3-for-6 with three runs and three RBIs, while Brady Thomas also shone with a 3-for-5 performance including a double and three RBIs. The victory was particularly thrilling for fans, especially after Little Rock's surprising defeat of Southern Miss, the No. 9 overall seed.

As a result of this win, Jax State (47-13) will face the fourth-seeded Trojans (37-26) on Saturday at 8 p.m., while Southern Miss (44-16) will play Virginia (36-22) in an elimination match at 1 p.m. Despite the successful start, Bieser cautioned against complacency, stating, “The only way you’re in a good spot is you go out and you perform, and that’s what our group will be.”