Jackson State 6, Alabama A&M 4 — Jackson, Miss.| Jackson State overcame an early deficit and used a four-run second inning to power past Alabama A&M, 6-4, in SWAC softball action on Saturday at home.

Game 1: Jackson State 6, Alabama A&M 4

How It Happened

• Jackson State (22-18, 13-5 SWAC) did its damage efficiently, scoring six runs on four hits while drawing 11 walks and swiping five bases. 
• Alabama A&M (19-27, 6-14) struck first, plating a run in the opening inning before adding another on a solo home run by Mary Grace Whatley in the second to take a 2-0 lead.
• But Jackson State answered immediately with its decisive rally in the bottom half of the second.
• The Tigers capitalized on patience at the plate and pressure on the bases.
• Ariana Murillo delivered the big hit of the inning with a two-run single, while Ka'Liyah Gipson added an RBI single later in the frame.
• JSU also benefited from aggressive base running and Alabama A&M miscues to turn the inning into a 4-2 advantage. 
• Jackson State never gave the lead back.

Inside the Numbers

• Murillo finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored to pace the offense, while Gipson scored twice, drove in a run, and stole two bases.
• Brooklyn Morris helped herself at the plate with a hit, two RBIs, and two walks.
• Jackson State also got key table-setting contributions from its lineup as the Tigers worked 11 free passes and kept constant pressure on Alabama A&M's defense. 
• In the circle, Morris went the distance to earn the win, tossing all seven innings.
• She allowed four runs, three earned, on 12 hits while striking out four and not issuing a walk.
• Though Alabama A&M put plenty of balls in play, Morris worked out of trouble repeatedly and finished off the complete-game victory. 
• The Bulldogs threatened throughout, collecting 12 hits, including three from Grace Cruthis and three from Kali Austerman.
• But Jackson State made the most of its opportunities, scoring six times on just four hits and producing timely offense when it mattered most. 

Game 2: Jackson State 10, Alabama A&M 0 (five innings)

Jackson State rolled to a run-rule victory over Alabama A&M in five innings in game two of Saturday's afternoon doubleheader, powered by an explosive start at the plate and a shutout performance in the circle from Madison McDowell.

The Tigers scored in each of the first four innings and never allowed the Bulldogs to gain any momentum, finishing with 11 hits while holding Alabama A&M to just three. 

How It Happened

• Jackson State wasted no time taking control in the bottom of the first.
• Ka'Liyah Gipson opened the frame with a single, stole second, and later scored on an RBI single from Jace Jackson.
• Ariah Hill came around on a double play ball, and Ariana Murillo crossed the plate later in the inning on Beija Allen's RBI single to give the Tigers a quick 3-0 advantage. 
• The Tigers broke things open in the second with four more runs.
• Zaria Keyes started the rally with a single and stolen base before Gipson drew a walk.
• Hill then delivered one of the biggest swings of the day, ripping a two-run double to left field.
• Jackson followed with another RBI single, and Meah Almaraz added an RBI double as Jackson State stretched the lead to 7-0. 
• Jackson State added another run in the third after Keyes walked, stole second, and later scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Jackson.
• The Tigers capped the scoring with two more runs in the fourth, continuing to apply pressure with aggressive base running and timely hitting. 

Inside the Numbers

• Jackson finished 2-for-3 with three RBI to lead the offense, while Hill scored twice and drove in two runs.
• Keyes also scored twice, stole two bases, and helped set the tone from the bottom of the lineup.
• Gipson reached base three times, scored twice, and stole a base as Jackson State piled up seven walks and four stolen bases in the win. 
• In the circle, Madison McDowell was dominant for the Tigers.
• She tossed a complete-game shutout over five innings, allowing just three hits and one walk while striking out two.
• McDowell kept Alabama A&M off the scoreboard throughout and stranded every scoring threat as Jackson State secured the run-rule conference win. 

Up Next
The Jackson State softball team will close out the regular season on the road at Florida A&M. The Tigers will open play on Friday at 5 p.m. CT.

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