JACKSON, Miss. – The Jackson State baseball team started fast and rolled to a 9-5 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the home opener Friday evening from Bob Braddy Field.

 The Tigers struck first in the bottom of the first when Chandler Dillard delivered an RBI single to left field. In the third inning Hassan Standifer came through with an RBI triple and Jatavious Melton added an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth and led 6-0.
 
Anthony Becerra earned the win and tossed 5 2/3 innings and scattered a pair of hits and struck out seven batters.
 
Dillard batted 2-for-3 with three RBI and drew a pair of walks and added a steal. Ty Hill, who was making his home debut for the Tigers, finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
As a team, JSU produced nine hits.
 
The Tigers and Golden Lions return to the diamond Saturday for a 3 p.m. start. This series does not count towards the conference standings. 
 
The match-up will be available on the Jackson State Sports Network.