JACKSONVILLE, Ala.- A six-strikeout, 6.0 inning outing by senior right-hander David Horn Jr. (L, 1-3) wasn't enough for Middle Tennessee baseball (16-16, 5-7 CUSA) to avoid the series sweep against Jacksonville State (27-6, 12-0 CUSA) on Saturday afternoon.

Horn, who made his seventh start of the season on the mound for the Blue Raiders, carried a shutout into the sixth inning against the Gamecocks. The Mission Viejo, California native ran into some traffic on the base paths, surrendered two runs in the sixth via an RBI single and a groundout to himself on the mound to give Jax State a 2-1 lead.

This came after Middle Tennessee got the game's scoring started in the fourth inning. Designated hitter Dean O'Neill drove in Layne Akers on an RBI single to right field with one out in the frame.

Middle Tennessee found some traction on offense late, working the bases-loaded with two outs after drawing two walks to pair with Owen Nowak's leadoff double to left field. The Blue Raiders were unable to scratch across a run in the frame. 

Jax State added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth against right-handed reliever Gavin King on a RBI sacrifice bunt.

By the Numbers:

6.0: David Horn Jr.'s 6.0 innings pitched marked his longest outing of the season. The senior threw 97 pitches.

35: Dean O'Neill's fourth inning RBI was his 35th of the 2026 campaign. This leads the Blue Raiders, and places O'Neill third in Conference USA.

Up next:

Middle Tennessee will return home to Murfreesboro for a one-game homestand against regional foe Lipscomb (14-14, 7-5 ASUN). First pitch from Reese Smith Jr. Field is scheduled for 6 p.m., with an radio broadcast available on WGNS and an audio stream on the Blue Raider Network.