JACKSON – Jackson State defeated Mississippi Valley State 12-2 and 5-2 and extended its winning streak to 12 in a row Friday afternoon from Braddy Field.
 
JSU improves to 24-18 and 11-6 in the SWAC, while MVSU falls to 6-20 and 5-11 in the conference.
 
In the series opener it was the pitching of sophomore Nikelle Galatas that kept the Delta Devils off balance. The rising sophomore tossed a complete game and scattered seven hits and allowed two runs while striking out a season-high eight batters.
 
The Tigers provided Galatas with plenty of run support.
 
Equon Smith batted 3-for-4 with four RBI and scored a pair of runs. Jaylyn Williams also went 2-for-4 with an RBI and crossed home plate twice.
 
Chris Prentiss, Raul Hernandez, Wesley Reyes and Tyler Culpepper each added an RBI.
 
Dezmond Chumley, Chandler Dillard, Williams and Smith each successfully stole a base. The game was called in the eighth inning due to the 10-run mercy rule.
 
The second game of the twin bill was scoreless until the sixth inning.
 
Marshal Luiz broke through with a two RBI single to right field. Dillard then laid down a perfectly-timed sacrifice bunt to push across a run and Chris Prentiss delivered a sacrifice fly to right field
 
Luiz added an RBI in the seventh inning to provide insurance.
 
Garth Cahill earned the win on the bump. The senior threw 6.1 innings and allowed six hits, one run and did not walk a batter and recorded a pair of strikeouts. Cahill also induced 11 ground outs.
 
Luiz batted 3-for-3 with three RBI.
 
Reyes and Williams each recorded a stolen base.
 
The Tigers look to complete the series sweep Saturday with a 1 p.m. tilt versus MVSU.
 
The 2019 JSU Senior Class and the 1977 and 1978 Jackson State baseball teams who captured back-to-back SWAC championships will be honored prior to the game. Legendary coach Robert "Bob" Braddy will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.