The Jackson State University baseball team used timely hits and strong pitching to defeat Nicholls 9-3 Wednesday night at Braddy Field.
Tied 3-3 in the seventh, the Tigers (5-5) took control late. Jatavis Melton led off with a single, and Ty Hill was hit by a pitch. On the eighth pitch of the at-bat, El'Rico Riley doubled down the left field line, scoring Melton as Hill advanced to third. With one out, Devonte Rhodes singled up the middle, scoring Hill and Riley for a 6-3 JSU lead.
In the eighth, Melton walked with one out and scored on a Hill double down the left field line. Riley then singled to center field, advancing Hill to third. After Riley stole second, Gavon Clemons double off the left field wall scored Hill and Riley for the final margin.
"We swung the bats better," said Jackson State head coach Omar Johnson. "That was the main thing, as we did not do that well this past weekend. We got some timely hits, and that's always big. We got some hits with two outs and two strikes, so we are moving in the right direction."
The bullpen was strong over the final seven innings, as four Tigers' pitchers limited Nicholls (5-5) to one run and four hits.
"They did that all weekend," said Johnson. "That's how we're going to have to pitch, especially with so many young guys coming in. You do it once, and it's like ok. When you do it two or three times, then it becomes 'this is what they can do.' We just have to give them some runs.
Melton, Hill, Riley, Rhodes, and Chenar Brown each had two hits and combined for 10 of the Tigers' 13 hits. Arjun Huerta got the win in relief, striking out the side in the seventh, leading to the rally.
JSU returns to action this weekend hosting Alcorn in a three-game non-conference series Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Braddy Field.
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