HUNTSVILLE, Ala.| Jace Jackson collected five RBIs to help lead the Jackson State softball team past Alabama A&M to open its series Friday afternoon. The Tigers topped the Bulldogs 9-5.
Brooklyn Morris (5-4) started in the circle and picked up the win for Jackson State . The left-hander went seven innings, giving up five runs, all of them earned, on 10 hits.
Jackson went 3-for-4 in addition to her five RBIs for the Tigers. Ka'Liyah Gipson put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with two walks. Julie Lopez also contributed for Jackson State, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate while adding a double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jackson State (17-12, 7-2 SWAC) got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning.
- The Tigers saw the game's first RBI single from Jackson, scoring Gipson from second base.
- The Bulldogs failed to push any runs across before the Tigers offense got back to their scoring ways the next inning.
- JSU's offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Jackson, which brought the Tigers lead to 6-0.
- Alabama A&M narrowed Jackson State's lead to 6-3 before the Tigers stretched the advantage to 8-3 in the sixth inning.
- The Tigers scored two runs when a single from Jackson brought home Ariana Murillo and Gipson.
- Jackson State held the Bulldogs scoreless before their offense got back in action the next inning.
- JSU scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Valerie Joaquin, bringing the Jackson State advantage to 9-3.
- Alabama A&M put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Tigers still coasted to the 9-5 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Jackson picked up three hits in the game and drove in five runs for Jackson State while leading the Tigers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with five RBIs.
- Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed five runs across.
- JSU took a 1-0 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 an 11-10 clip.
- Gipson stole two bases in Friday's game.
- Jackson State went 5-for-15 (.333) with runners in scoring position.
- The Tigers got two hits in five at-bats with the bases loaded.
- Morris faced 33 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing 12 ground balls and seven fly balls.
- The Tigers drew four walks from Alabama A&M pitching.
- Alabama A&M was led offensively by A. Riches, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
UP NEXT
Jackson State will close out the series in a doubleheader against the Bulldogs at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
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