JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Behind a splendid start from Gavin Braunecker, the Bellarmine University baseball team defeated Jacksonville State 4-3 on Friday night in ASUN action at Jim Case Stadium.

Bellarmine (7-27, 5-9 ASUN) evened the series at 1-all against Jacksonville State (14-18, 8-6) in another well-pitched contest — the Gamecocks took the opener 4-2. Braunecker earned the win for the second straight outing behind a career-high nine strikeouts.

The sophomore lefthander allowed only one run on seven hits and two walks in 7.0 innings pitched. JSU plated that run in the first, but Braunecker proceeded to fire 6.0 consecutive scoreless innings.

Senior designated hitter A.J. Arnold drove in what turned out to be a huge insurance run in the top of the ninth. Junior catcher Gabe Bratetic collected a two-out single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Arnold's double for a 4-1 lead.

Ultimately, it would represent the winning run. With two outs, JSU's Isaac Alexander cut the deficit to one with a two-run homer, but senior lefthander Nick Parrish secured the victory, and his first save, with a game-ending strikeout.

Bellarmine scored one run in the first. Senior left fielder Matt Higgins led off the game with a double, advanced to third on a grounder to the right side by senior third baseman Colin Bertsch and scored on a single by senior right fielder Jacob Mulcahy.

The Knights added two more runs in the sixth. Bertsch plated Higgins, who was hit by a pitch and stole second, with a single. Bertsch then scored on the latter of consecutive singles by sophomore first baseman Davis Crane and senior shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer.

Bratetic paced Bellarmine with two hits.

The finale of the three-game series will start at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).