GAME 1 | Jackson State 11, Alabama A&M 3

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.| The Jackson State softball team took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to an 11-3 victory over Alabama A&M on Saturday afternoon.

Sofia Gonzalez (5-5) got the win for Jackson State. The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (26-14, 13-6 SWAC) got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with two runs in the top of the first inning.
• JSU's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a two-run single off the bat of Beija Allen and a two-run single from Meah Almaraz.
• The Bulldogs failed to push any runs across before the Tigers offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning.
• Sami Huckabee came across to score the lone run of the inning for Jackson State, which brought the score to 5-0 in favor of the Tigers.
• Jackson State kept Alabama A&M without a run before expanding their lead to 6-0 the following inning.
• The Tigers held the Bulldogs without a run before their offense got in gear the next inning.
• Ka'Liyah Gipson crossed home plate with the lone run of the inning for the Tigers, bringing the score to 7-0 in favor of Jackson State.
• Alabama A&M got within 7-1 until the Tigers scored again in the seventh inning to stretch its lead to 11-1.
• The Jackson State offense piled up four runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Gipson.
• Alabama A&M put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Tigers still coasted to the 11-3 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Gipson compiled three base hits in the game for Jackson State.
• Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across.
• JSU grabbed a 4-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
• The Tigers out-hit the Bulldogs at a 9-8 clip.
• Gipson stole three bases and sophomore J. Jackson swiped two in Saturday's game.
• The Tigers stole nine bases as a team.
• Jackson State's pitchers faced 30 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out three.
• The Tigers drew four walks from Alabama A&M pitching.
• Gipson led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three RBI.
• Alabama A&M was led offensively by Catherine Hickey, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and two RBI.
• Paige Scott led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing 4.2 innings of five-run ball.

GAME 2 | Jackson State 9, Alabama A&M 5

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.| Jackson State received contributions from every part of their lineup, as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Tigers put nine runs on the board and take down the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 9-5 Saturday.

Kelley Bickers (5-1) got the win for Jackson State in the circle. The right-hander went 4.1 innings, giving up four runs, all of them earned, on seven hits, allowing two walks and striking out one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (26-14, 13-6 SWAC) got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning.
• JSU offense started clicking and put up five runs, including a one-run groundout off the bat of Julie Lopez.
• The Tigers then held the Bulldogs scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning.
• Jackson State picked up two runs when a single from Jace Jackson brought home Mari Stephens and freshman Ka'Liyah Gipson, which brought the score to 7-0 in favor of the Tigers.
• Alabama A&M narrowed Jackson State's lead to 7-1 before the Tigers stretched the advantage to 9-1 in the fifth inning.
• The Tigers added two runs when a single from Jalia Hubbard brought home Lopez and Beija Allen.
• Alabama A&M put four runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Jackson State still coasted to the 9-5 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Every Jackson State starter reached base safely in the win.
• Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed five runs across.
• JSU took a 5-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
• Four Tigers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
• The Tigers out-hit the Bulldogs at a 13-9 clip.
• Jackson State pitchers faced 34 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and three fly balls while striking out three.
• The Tigers drew five walks from Alabama A&M pitching.
• Hubbard led the Tigers at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two RBI.
• Alabama A&M was led offensively by junior A. Riches, who went 1-for-1 with an RBI.
• Krista Sikes led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing 2.2 shutout innings.

UP NEXT
The Tigers will host Memphis at the JSU Softball Field on Wednesday evening before closing out the regular season at home against Alabama State next weekend. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
 
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