MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Jackson State Lady Tigers rebounded from Friday's loss to Alabama State with a 9-2 win in game two of the three-game softball series here on Saturday but dropped the nightcap contest 6-5.
Game 1 - Friday: ASU 11, JSU 3
The Lady Tigers spotted Alabama State a 4-0 lead in the first game of their weekend softball series on Friday and could never regroup in the opener.
The first of JSU's three runs came in the top of the third inning when
Lauren Stewart singled in
Jalia Hubbard, cutting the Hornets lead to 3-1. But ASU responded with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to increase its lead to 8-1.
In the sixth and final inning, the teams traded scores, with the Lady Tigers scoring two runs in the top of the inning with ASU adding three in the bottom of the inning.
JSU's leading batters in the ballgame were Hubbard, who went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and
Isis Taylor, who was 2-for-3.
Isabel Gusman went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in.
Game 2 – Saturday: JSU 9, ASU 2
Stewart drove in Mari Stephens in the top of the first inning to give the Lady Tigers an early 1-0 lead which was relinquished when the ASU Lady Hornets scored twice in the bottom of the second inning. But JSU tied the game at 2-all in the top of the third when Stewart again drove in Stephens.
In the top of the fifth inning, the Lady Tigers took the lead, thanks to a two-run homer by Stewart. JSU then padded its lead as it scored three unanswered runs in the top of the sixth inning and two more in the top of the seventh.
In the contest, the twosome of Stewart and Stephens was the key for the victorious Lady Tigers, as Stewart went 1-for-4 with four RBI and Stephens going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and one RBI. Pitcher
Takiya Hill went the distance and picked up the win, her second of the season.
Game 3 - Saturday: ASU 6, JSU 5
The ASU Lady Hornets scored the game's first three runs, a deficit which JSU could never overcome.
Jackson State crossed home plate twice in the top of the third inning to narrow the Lady Hornets' lead to 3-2, but ASU added two in the bottom of the next inning.
JSU outscored the Lady Hornets 3-to-0 over the final three innings for the final margin. JSU's lone multiple-hit batter was Taylor, who went 2-for-3.
The next contest for the 14-13 Lady Tigers (5-4 SWAC) will be Tuesday at home against Southern Mississippi at 5 p.m. at the JSU Softball Stadium.
