Houston, Texas – The Jackson State baseball team dropped their season opener 9-5 to Texas Southern in the Astros Cactus Jack HBCU Classic hosted by the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
 
The Tigers scored first in the top of the first inning when Jordan McCladdie scored on a groundout by Rodney Hibler. JSU would add four more runs in the top of the fifth. Jaelen Williams scored on a passed ball, and then Ledy Alvarez scored on a throwing error by the catcher. Davione Hull would double down the right field line to score Hibler and McCladdie to give Jackson State a 5-4 lead headed into the bottom half of the inning.
 
Texas Southern would add five more runs on their way to a 9-5 win over the Tigers.
 
McCladdie scored two runs, while Hull earned two of Jackson State's three RBIs. The Tigers had four hits and left six on base. Adolf Castillo got the win for Texas Southern, while Brandon Haston recorded the loss.
 
Jackson State pitchers struck out seven batters, allowing only four walks in the contest.
 
The Tigers will play game two of the Astros Cactus Jack HBCU Classic on Saturday when they face Alcorn State at 11 a.m., and that game will be streamed on Astros.com.