JACKSON, Miss.| The Jackson State softball team shook back to win its home series from Bethune-Cookman after falling behind in game one. The Tigers returned for a Monday doubleheader at the JSU Softball Field to top the Wildcats 8-9 in game two and 9-1 in game three.

GAME 1| JSU, 9 BCU, 8

Takiya Hill started in the circle and picked up the win for Jackson State. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up eight runs, all of them earned, on 11 hits, allowing two walks and striking out four.

In the batter's box, the Tigers were paced by sophomore Mari Stephens, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a home run, a walk and two RBI. Jace Jackson compiled a standout day at the plate as well, going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI. Isabel Gusman also contributed for Jackson State, putting together one hit in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and two RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (18-24, 7-10) trailed 3-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Jackson State's offense started clicking and put up six runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Gusman.
• The Wildcats then gained ground, narrowing the lead to 6-5 until the Tigers expanded their advantage in the fourth.
• Hill came across to score the lone run of the inning for Jackson State, which brought the Tigers' lead to 7-5.
• Jackson State's lead had disappeared once the sixth inning arrived and turned into an 8-7 Bethune-Cookman advantage, when the Tigers regained control at 9-8.
• The Tigers added two to their tally on Stephens' two-run homer to give JSU the 9-8 advantage.
• The score remained 9-8 for the rest of the game, as Jackson State held on for the win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• JSU finished with nine runs, six hits and three errors.
• Bethune Cookman finished with eight runs, 11 hits and one error.
• Takiya Hill took the win for the Tigers while Victoria Guzman suffered the loss for B-CU.

Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed six runs across.

• The Tigers went 3-for-7 (.429) with runners in scoring position.
• JSU's pitchers faced 35 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and six fly balls while striking out four.
• The Tigers drew six walks from Bethune-Cookman pitching.
• Stephens led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
• Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by Haley Parks, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
• Victoria Guzman led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing 4.1 innings of three-run ball.

GAME 2| JSU, 9 BCU, 1

Jackson State got on the board early on its way to defeat the Wildcats in a run-rule after five innings, 9-1, in game two of Monday's doubleheader.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (19-24, 8-10 SWSAC) scored first in the bottom of the first inning as Isabel Gusman singled to left field to score Mari Stephens.
• Jalia Hubbard scored in the next play to increase the Tigers' lead to 2-0.
• The Tigers returned in the bottom of the second inning to score six more runs to take an 8-0 advantage.
• BCU's Sami Kelley homered leading off in the top of the fourth to get the Wildcats on the board.
• Jackson State answered scoring one last time in the bottom of the fourth inning as Marissa Medina triple to right field to score Arredondo.
• The Tigers held up on defense for half an inning to seal the 9-1 one win in five innings and the series victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jackson State registered nine runs, seven hits and two errors.
• Bethune-Cookman finished with one run, seven hits and two errors.
• Macie Kuppenbender went all five innings only giving up one run, allowing seven hits and committing one error.
• Isabel Gusman and Marissa Medina each hit home runs in the win.

UP NEXT
The Tigers will open play in their last road series of the regular season at Mississippi Valley State. First pitch is set for 5:00 p.m. Friday.

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