Jackson State softball opened its series against Mississippi Valley State with an 8-0 run-rule victory Friday at JSU Softball Field. The Tigers improved to 15-14 overall and 7-2 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play.
Jackson State struck early, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ka’Liyah Gipson reached on an error, stole second, and helped load the bases. Brooklyn Morris singled to center, driving in two runs. Beija Allen followed with an RBI single, giving the Tigers an early advantage.
The team added two more runs in the second inning. Gipson singled, stole second, and Ariana Murillo brought her home with an RBI single. Gabrielle Willis then drove in a run with a single to right, extending the lead to 5-0. Jackson State continued to build its lead in the third after an error by Mississippi Valley State, with Gipson driving in another run with a single.
The Tigers pushed the lead to 7-0 in the fourth inning. Sommer Tyes singled, stole second and third base, and scored on Allen’s RBI triple. Jackson State sealed the win in the fifth with a single run, as Thenya Kennedy drove in Karli Cunningan to end the game via run rule.
Offensively, Jackson State totaled 15 hits. Allen went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs, while Gipson was 2-for-3, scored twice, and stole two bases. Jace Jackson and Willis each contributed two hits, with Willis adding an RBI. Morris drove in two runs, and contributions also came from Tyes, Kennedy, Zaria Keyes, and Avelina Mclean.
On the mound, pitcher Gant threw a five-inning, complete-game shutout. She allowed just one hit, struck out six, and did not walk a batter. Mississippi Valley State fell to 1-22 overall and 0-10 in conference play. The series will conclude with a doubleheader Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.
