COVINGTON, Ga.| The Jackson State softball team continues its win streak by picking up two wins to open the 2025 Leonard Moody HBCU Softball Invitational. The Tigers defeated Hampton 3-2 in their first game of the day and Coppin State 7-4 in game two.

GAME 1-JSU, 3 Hampton, 2 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (5-0) got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning.
• Mari Stephens came across to score the lone run of the inning for Jackson State and get them on the board.
• After Hampton rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Tigers came back to retake the lead in the fifth inning.
• Jackson State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by freshman Ka'Liyah Gipson's single, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Tigers.
• The Pirates put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Jackson State still held on for the 3-2 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Brooklyn Morris (2-0) started in the circle and picked up the win for JSU.
• The left-hander went seven innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on seven hits, allowing one walk and striking out one.
• Offensively, the Tigers were led by Mari Stephens, who went 2-for-3 on the day with a triple and an RBI.
• Beija Allen put together a noteworthy performance as well, going 2-for-2 with a walk.
• Courtney Little also helped out for Jackson State, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding a double.
• Hampton was led offensively by freshman Cassidy Lee, who went 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
• Jada Evans led the Pirates pitching staff, throwing seven innings of three-run ball.

GAME 2- JSU, 7 Coppin State, 4
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jackson State (6-0) the scoreboard first, starting the scoring in the second inning.
• The Tigers then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the fifth inning after the Eagles cut it to 3-2.
• The Jackson State offense exploded for four runs, highlighted by a one-run single off the bat of Arianna Murillo, which brought the score to 7-2 in favor of the Tigers.
• Coppin State put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Jackson State still held on for the 7-4 win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jorgina Gant (2-0) got the win for JSU after going seven innings, giving up four runs, all of them earned, on nine hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.
• At the plate, the Tigers were led by Murillo, who went 2-for-3 on the day with two RBI.
• Beija Allen put together a standout day at the dish as well, going 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and an RBI.
• Mari Stephens also helped out for Jackson State, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double and an RBI.
• JSU went 5-for-10 (.500) with runners in scoring position.
• Coppin State was led offensively by freshman Brooklyn Tapusoa, who went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI.
• Emily Quintero led the Eagles pitching staff, throwing six innings of seven-run ball.

UP NEXT
The Tigers will return for day two of the Leonard Moody HBCU Softball Invitational on Saturday to take on North Carolina A&T and South Carolina State at 12 pm and 2 pm.

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