Jackson State lost a close game to Bethune-Cookman on March 29, with a final score of 5-4, as Bethune-Cookman used three home runs to secure the Southwestern Athletic Conference series win.
The game was marked by strong performances from Jackson State players Pierre Cabral, Edwin Lemus Hudson Jr., and Tyshon Patty, each collecting two hits. Cabral went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Hudson Jr. finished the day at 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Patty was 2-for-3 with both a run scored and an RBI. Hederick Torres contributed with a single that brought in two runs during the sixth inning, giving Jackson State a temporary lead.
Pitcher Jayden Lopez started for Jackson State and took the loss after pitching seven innings, allowing five runs on six hits and striking out seven batters before Jaedeyn Edwards came in for relief in the final inning.
Bethune-Cookman opened scoring in the first inning with an inside-the-park home run by Erick Almonte. In response, Cabral doubled in Tyree Reed during the fourth inning to tie it up. However, Andrey Martinez hit another home run for Bethune-Cookman in the fifth to put them ahead again. The Tigers rallied in the sixth when Patty singled home Cabral and Torres drove in two more runs to give Jackson State its only lead of the game at 4-3. That lead was short-lived as Sergio Rivera’s two-run homer reclaimed victory for Bethune-Cookman later that same inning.
Looking ahead, Jackson State will continue its conference road trip with a three-game series against Grambling State starting Thursday night.
