Jackson State defeated Alabama State 2-1 in the opening game of their series Friday evening in Montgomery, Alabama. The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth inning and relied on a complete-game effort from pitcher Jorgina Gant to secure the win.
Jackson State (18-14, 10-2 SWAC) used defensive miscues by Alabama State (13-26, 7-6 SWAC) to score in the fourth inning. Brooklyn Morris led off with a single, and an error allowed pinch runner Ariah Hill to score the game’s first run. Later in the inning, Avelina McLean doubled to right-center, driving in Gabrielle Willis and giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
Gant was dominant on the mound, allowing just one run on seven hits over seven innings. She struck out six and walked one, while repeatedly working out of trouble. She stranded eight Hornets runners and kept Alabama State off the board through the first six innings.
Alabama State threatened throughout the game, collecting seven hits with multi-hit efforts from Jaibriel Terrell and Addison Giles. The Hornets scored in the seventh inning when Terrell doubled home a run, narrowing the margin to 2-1. Gant closed the door after that, retiring the final hitters to seal the victory.
Jackson State’s offense was led by Willis, Morris, McLean, and Ariana Murillo, who each contributed one hit. McLean’s RBI double proved to be the decisive play. Despite being outhit 7-4, the Tigers capitalized on three Hornets errors, which ultimately swung the game in their favor.
The series continues with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, with the first game set for 1 p.m. Follow Jackson State Athletics for updates at @GoJSUTigers on social media or visit GoJSUTigers.com.
