The Jackson State University Tigers found themselves on both ends of one-run baseball games during opening day of the JSU Tournament on Friday, losing 6-5 to Butler before defeating Prairie View A&M 3-2.
 
In the opener against Butler, things were going all JSU's way initially as the Tigers jumped out to a 5-0 lead through four innings after scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning before tacking on four runs in the bottom of the fourth. 
 
Infielder El'Rico Riley crossed the plate for the game's first score in the first inning.  Then second baseman Ty Hill, center fielder Jatavis Melton,, right fielder Kenneth Bell III and catcher Marshal Luiz all scored in the bottom of the fourth
 
Unfortunately for JSU, that was it for the remainder of the game.  For Butler, the action was just about to begin.
 
The Butler Bulldogs scored twice in the top of the fifth inning, three in the sixth and one in the seventh to account for their one-run victory.
 
Angel Escudero (0-1) suffered the loss for JSU, while Derek Drees (1-0) picked up the win. Third baseman Marcus Atterberry went 3-for-4 for the Tigers with three RBI.
 
It was a much better outcome for JSU in their game against the Prairie View A&M Panthers.
 
This time, the Panthers struck first in the opening inning when center fielder Demarie' Smith scored off a sacrifice fly by Benjamin Ybarra.  But PVAMU would remain dormant over the next seven innings.
 
The Tigers scored only in the bottom of the fifth inning, but three runs scored by first baseman Chenar Brown, shortstop Omar Gomez-Rivera and Bell were enough to give JSU its fourth victory of the season in seven tries, as Prairie View would only add one run to its score, that coming in the top of the eighth.
 
Juan Marulanda (1-0) picked up the win for the Tigers, while Roberto Maldonado (0-1) suffered the loss. 
 
On Saturday, Jackson State hosts Prairie View A&M at 1 p.m. and Butler at 4 p.m.