GULFPORT, Miss.| The Jackson State softball team fell in its Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament opener to Prairie View A&M Tuesday afternoon at the Gulfport Sportsplex. The Panther's one-run first proved to be the difference in the ballgame, as the Tigers lost a heartbreaker, 2-1.
Victoria Salazar (5-6) started and took the loss in the circle for Jackson State. Macie Kuppenbender was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 2.2 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out two.
In the batter's box, the Tigers were led by Samiyyah Huckabee, who went 1-for-2 on the day with an RBI.
Prairie View A&M scored first in the bottom of the first inning and again in the bottom of the second. JSU trailed 2-0 in the fifth inning when they put their first run on the board. Jackson State got an RBI single from Huckabee, scoring Jace Jackson from second base. The Tigers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed one run across.
- Jackson State pitchers faced 31 Prairie View A&M hitters in the game, allowing seven ground balls and nine fly balls while striking out two.
- Huckabee led the Tigers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with an RBI.
- Prairie View A&M was led offensively by Maya Barnes, who went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
- Jerrica Rojas led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of one-run ball.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will return to the Gulfport Sportsplex Tuesday morning to face Texas Southern in an elimination game. First pitch is set for 9 a.m.
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