JACKSON, Miss. – The Jackson State baseball team posted an 8-3 win over Bethune-Cookman in game one of its three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference series Friday night at Braddy Field.
 
Tied at 1-1 in the fourth, Caleb Evans' solo home run to left field on an 0-1 pitch gave the Tigers (23-22 overall, 10-12 SWAC) the lead for good. Evans went 4-4 with two runs scored and an RBI to lead JSU at the plate.
 
The Tigers added three runs in the seventh. With one out, Jefrey Rodriguez reached base on a fielding error and scored on an Omar Gomez double down the right field line. Jatavis Melton then reached base on a throwing error, scoring Gomez. Melton later scored on a wild pitch for a 5-1 lead.
 
Jackson State added three additional runs in the eighth. Evans led off with a single through the right side, and Marcus Atterberry walked to lead off the inning. Pinch-hitter El'Rico Riley then singled to left center, scoring Evans for a 6-1 lead. With two out, Melton doubled to left center, scoring Atterberry and Riley for an 8-1 lead.
 
Nikelle Galatas went the distance for the win, scattered nine hits and one earned run, walking three and striking out nine.
 
Game two of the series is Saturday at 3 p.m., featuring a special pregame ceremony honoring the 1968 SWAC and NAIA District Champion JSU Baseball team.
 

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