GULFPORT, Miss.| The Jackson State softball team took a 4-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 5-3 victory against the Southern Jaguars on Tuesday.
Brooklyn Morris (11-8) started in the circle and picked up the win for Jackson State . The left-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on nine hits, allowing one walk and striking out one.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Jackson State (26-22) got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless.
- JSU's offense started clicking and put up four runs, including a one-run single off the bat of sophomore Gabrielle Willis.
- The Tigers then held the Jaguars scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning.
- Jackson State pushed across a run on senior Mari Stephens' RBI double, which brought the Tigers lead to 5-0.
- Southern put three runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Jackson State still held on for the 5-3 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The Tigers power output was led by Stephens, who picked up two extra base going 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBIs in the ballgame.
- Jackson State's highest scoring inning was the first, when it pushed four runs across.
- JSU grabbed a 4-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
- Five Tigers had multiple hits in the ballgame.
- The Tigers out-hit the Jaguars at an 11-9 clip.
- Ka'Liyah Gipson stole two bases in Tuesday's game.
- Jackson State went 5-for-13 (.385) with runners in scoring position.
- Morris faced 29 Southern hitters in the game, allowing 10 ground balls and eight fly balls while striking out one.
- Southern was led offensively by Makyia Taylor, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
- Aaliyah Zabala led the Jaguars pitching staff, throwing five scoreless innings.
UP NEXT
The Tigers are set to face the winner out of Prarie View and Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday at 6 pm at the Gulfport Sportsplex.
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