JACKSON, Miss. – Perfection.
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Jackson State defeated Mississippi Valley State 12-1 and finished SWAC play with a perfect 24-0 record. Based on record books from 1980, it's the best conference finish since 1990, when the Tigers went 22-1 in conference play.
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"Really proud of this group," said JSU head coach
Omar Johnson. "We've all gone through a lot this past year with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we've adjusted and made the necessary changes. The regular season is only part of the season and everyone is 0-0 when SWAC tournament play begins."
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The Tigers received a standout performance for junior
Nikelle Galatas (9-2). The Los Angeles, California product tossed seven innings, scattered five hits and allowed one run and struck out 12 batters to tie a career high.
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Senior
Wesley Reyes went out in style and delivered a three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the seventh and the game was called due to the seven-inning, 10-run mercy rule.
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Reyes finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and walked once.
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Jatavious Melton and
Chandler Dillard each batted 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI.
Omar Gomez finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.
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CJ Newsome,
Ty Hill,
Jaelen Williams, and
Jefrey Rodriguez each collected a hit.
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The Tigers turn their attention the SWAC tournament that's slated to begin May 19 in Madison, Alabama at Toyota Field.
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