JACKSON, Tenn. – Jacksonville State scored three times in the top of the ninth inning Thursday to earn a come-from-behind 7-5 win over SIUE in the first elimination game of the Ohio Valley Conference baseball tournament.

"This was a tough game," SIUE Head Coach Tony Stoecklin said. "I thought both teams were competitive. They just got a couple of more hits than we did when it counted."

SIUE ends its season at 21-33 overall. Jacksonville State improves to 31-25 and advances to play Friday.

The Cougars scored first, getting a sacrifice fly from Alec Saikal in the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. The Gamecocks took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning in the first of four lead changes over the next four half-innings.

Ryan Daniels started for the Cougars allowing four runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. He did not figure into the decision. It was only the third time this season SIUE has lost a start by Daniels.

"Ryan wasn't at his best today, but he did one thing and that's compete," Stoecklin said. "He gave us an opportunity to win that game. All you can do as a starter when you're not as sharp as you'd like is just go out and battle. He did that. I'm proud of the way he pitched."

SIUE trailed 4-3 before getting two-out RBI hits from Nick Lombardo, in the sixth inning, to tie the game and Denton Reed, in the eighth inning, to give the Cougars a 5-4 lead.

Jacksonville State got a pair of hits against Cougar reliever Zach Malach to open the ninth inning. P.J. Schuster relieved Malach and allowed a run on a pair of hits.

Malach (2-2) suffered the loss in relief. He allowed two runs on four hits over 2 2/3 innings.

"He did a good job as well," Stoecklin said of Malach. "He's pitched well down the stretch. I've been happy with what he has done the last couple of weeks."

Reed led SIUE at the plate. He was 3 for 4 with the RBI. Lombardo was 2 for 4 with the RBI.

Michael Bishop, Ryan Sebra, and Andrew Bishop each had three hits for the Gamecocks.

"It's hard to think about the positives right now, because we are disappointed about not advancing in the tournament," Stoecklin added.

With the end of the season came the end of SIUE's Jake Stauffenberg and Devin Caldwell's career.

"They are two great kids who get to leave, as far as I am concerned, on top," Stoecklin said of his seniors. "The program is better for having them. They have made a positive impact on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. They are just great kids all around."

Stoecklin admitted that reaching the Conference Tournament was a goal for the program, but emphasized that his team was not satisfied.