After weather delays postponed the start of the HBCU Softball Classic, Jackson State University’s softball team began tournament play on Saturday in Montgomery, Alabama. The Tigers split their opening games, losing to South Carolina State before defeating Alcorn State.
In the first game, Jackson State fell to South Carolina State 7-4. Jhordyn Dyer led the Tigers offensively, going 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Pitcher Brooklyn Morris (1-2) took the loss for Jackson State. The Tigers were held scoreless until the sixth inning when they scored four runs, including a two-run single by Dyer. South Carolina State responded with three runs in the final inning to secure the win.
Jackson State’s most productive inning was the sixth, where all four of their runs were scored. Gant and Morris pitched against 30 South Carolina State batters, allowing seven ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out four hitters. The Tigers drew four walks during the game.
South Carolina State was led by L. Morlu at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 performance and three RBIs. A. Dent pitched a complete game for South Carolina State, allowing four runs over seven innings.
In their second matchup of the day, Jackson State defeated Alcorn State 5-3 after rallying in the seventh inning. Meah Almaraz hit a three-run home run off C. Olison to give JSU a walk-off victory. Addison Jennings (1-0) earned her first win of the season after pitching three scoreless innings in relief without allowing a hit.
Jackson State trailed 3-0 until scoring twice in the fifth inning, one run coming from Zaria Keyes’ RBI double. The Tigers held Alcorn scoreless over the final innings before scoring three times in their last at-bat for the win.
Almaraz finished with three hits in four at-bats, including her decisive home run and three RBIs. Four different Tigers recorded multiple hits as JSU out-hit Alcorn 11-5 overall. JSU pitchers limited Alcorn to just one hit in nine chances with runners in scoring position and struck out one batter across 28 hitters faced.
Alcorn’s Y. Acevedo contributed a double while Olison pitched 6.2 innings for Alcorn, giving up five runs.
Jackson State is scheduled to conclude its participation in the HBCU Softball Classic on Sunday with games against Bluefield State at 10 a.m., followed by Claflin at 3 p.m.
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