Jackson, Miss. — Jackson State’s Jayden Lopez threw a dominant seven-inning performance, striking out 15 batters and allowing just five hits as the Tigers beat Alcorn State 14-1 in the second game of their Southwestern Athletic Conference series at Braddy Field.
The Tigers scored six runs in the first inning, chasing Alcorn State starter José Cherena after just one inning. Shemar Harris hit a two-run homer during that frame, giving JSU an early lead it never relinquished. Jackson State added four runs in the second and three more in the third to extend its lead to 14-0.
Lopez was nearly unhittable from the start, and Jackson State’s defense backed him up. Alcorn’s best scoring chance occurred in the seventh inning when Julian Jarrett and Kanious Davis singled to put two runners on with one out. Lopez responded by inducing a fielder’s choice to end the threat.
Alcorn State (9-36, 3-19 SWAC) managed only one run, which scored in the fourth inning. Right fielder Keaten Hawk and Chase Moore reached base with singles, and a fielding error by Jackson State’s right fielder allowed Hawk to score. That was the only blemish on Lopez’s otherwise stellar outing. Cherena took the loss, falling to 1-5 on the season.
The series concludes Monday at Braddy Field, with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m., according to the schools’ athletic departments. Fans can follow updates on Alcorn State Sports’ Twitter account and other social media channels.
