BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Jackson State University baseball team lost to Southern 8-7 Thursday in the Southwestern Athletic Conference tournament opener at Regions Field.
 
Jatavis Melton, Deontae Rhodes, Jaelen Williams, El'Rico Riley, and Caleb Evans each had two hits in the 14-hit attack. Nikelle Galatas got a no decision on the mound, going seven innings allowing 11 hits and six runs, walking three and striking out a season-high 11 batters.
 
Jackson State will face Prairie View A&M Friday at 9 a.m. at UAB in an elimination game.
 
Leading 1-1 after one inning, JSU regained the lead with a four-run second. With one out, Evans singled to right field, and Marcus Atterberry singled up the middle, moving Evans to third. Jefrey Rodriguez' bunt single scored Evans for a 2-1 lead. Omar Gomez followed with a singled to right center, scoring Atterberry for a 3-1 lead. Rodriguez then scored on a throwing error to add to the lead before Rhodes' two-out single to right center, scoring Gomez to give the Tigers a 5-1 lead.
 
Jackson State led 5-4 after four innings and extended the lead with a two-run fifth. Ty Hill led off with a double and scored on a one-out double by Riley. Following an Evans' single, Riley scored on a throwing error on a fielder's choice grounder for a 7-4 lead. However, Southern rallied with runs in the final three innings for the win.
 

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