Photo Gallery | 2026 CUSA Softball Championship Central
 
NEWARK, Del. – A four-run fourth inning lifted top-seeded Jax State to a 5-2 win versus No. 2 WKU on Friday evening, earning the Gamecocks a spot in the title game of the CUSA Softball Championship against Liberty at Noon ET on Saturday.
 
The most pivotal moment of the game came as outfielder Morgan Nowakowski blasted a 2-0 pitch deep into the parking lot behind the right-field wall to break a 1-1 tie. Second-baseman Ashley Phillips padded the lead with a solo shot in the home half of the sixth.
 
Starting pitcher Jaliyah Holmes (18-6) tossed a complete game, allowing just two earned runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Following a first-inning sac fly, the Hilltoppers (39-14) were held hitless for the next three innings.
 
WKU starter Rylan Smith (10-7) was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits in 1.2 innings.