PEARL, Miss. | Jackson State opens the 2026 season just a short trip away from the steps of campus, playing in the MLB HBCU Power Series at Trustmark Park on Friday night against Prairie View A&M.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 pm on Friday.

The weekend continues with six more games, featuring six teams with Jackson State facing Alabama A&M (Saturday) and Alcorn State (Sunday). Other teams playing at Trustmark include Grambling State and Texas Southern.

Jackson State (30-21 last season) returns several pieces offensively for the 2026 season including preseason All-Conference selection Wilbert Perez (.324/.945/.530/.415) at first base. The senior returns after collecting 60 hits in his first season at Jackson State including 12 doubles, one triple, and eight home runs. He also scored 32 runs and knocked in a team-high 48. He is joined by returning second baseman Ledy Alvarez (.309/.790/.383/.407) who finished the season with 10 extra base hits and 42 runs scored; while Tyshon Patty (.276/.794/.382/.412) returns at third base after a year that he collected eight extra base hits and scored 36 runs.

Robert Tate Jr. (.269/.723/.369/.354) returns for his third season at shortstop after collecting 10 extra base hits in 34 games last season, while also scoring 27 runs and was perfect in stolen bases with eight. A pair of student-athletes return at catcher including Hederick Torres (.346/.847/.408/.439) who finished with 29 runs scored last season, and Pierre Cabral (.273/.799/.414/.385) - who also doubles as a designated hitter.

On the mound, the Tigers will have to replace their top three starters from a season ago, and have five returnees and a host of newcomers to look to fill that gap.

All nine games this weekend will be carried by MLB.com.

Follow Jackson State Athletics
For complete coverage of Jackson State athletics, follow the Tigers on social media at @GoJSUTigers (Instagram and Twitter), Jackson State Tigers (Facebook), or visit the official home of Jackson State athletics at GoJSUTigers.com.