Jackson State’s softball team opened SWAC play with a split against Florida A&M on Friday. The Tigers lost the first game 10-3 but won the second 3-1.
In game one, Brooklyn Morris (1-5) started and took the loss for Jackson State. Trailing 2-0, the Tigers scored once in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from Sommer Tyes that scored Jace Jackson. Meah Almaraz also scored during Morris’s at-bat, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Florida A&M responded with seven runs between the fifth and sixth innings to pull away. Jackson State scored a final run in the seventh, with Zaria Keyes crossing home plate. The Rattlers added one more run for the 10-3 final. Jackson State was led offensively by Almaraz, who went 1-for-2 with a double, and Keyes, who stole two bases. Florida A&M’s Amari Brown went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Zoryana Hughes pitched seven innings, allowing three runs for the Rattlers.
In the second game, Jackson State took an early 2-1 lead and held on for a 3-1 victory. Jorgina Gant (4-1) earned the win, pitching seven innings with two hits allowed. Jackson State’s offense was led by Jace Jackson, who went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI, and Ka’Liyah Gipson, who was 2-for-3. Meah Almaraz added an RBI with one hit in three at-bats.
Jackson State scored twice in the first inning, with Almaraz’s run-scoring single highlighting a two-run frame. The Tigers added another run in the fifth on Jackson’s RBI double. They maintained the lead for the rest of the game. Jackson State out-hit Florida A&M 5-2 and stole five bases, including two by Gipson. The Rattlers’ Samantha Smith took the loss after pitching six innings.
The series concludes Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Fans can follow Jackson State athletics on social media at @GoJSUTigers on Instagram and Twitter, or visit GoJSUTigers.com for more coverage.
