Jackson State splits SWAC doubleheader at Grambling State

Jackson State and Grambling State split a Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader in Grambling, Louisiana, after a delay caused by weather. The teams began play Friday afternoon and finished early Saturday morning.

In the first game, Derek Arrocha kept Grambling State off balance through five innings, allowing only one hit and striking out six. Jackson State led 1-0 in the third but was ultimately defeated 5-2 after a two-hour weather delay. Grambling State scored three late runs to secure the win. Pierre Cabral went 2-for-4 for the Tigers, who totaled nine hits. Kade Walker took the loss, allowing five runs in three innings of relief.

In the nightcap, Jackson State jumped ahead early with a solo home run from Tyree Reed in the first inning. The Tigers extended their lead with a six-run second, highlighted by Cabral’s grand slam. They added four more runs in the fourth, including a two-run triple from Reed and a two-run single from Diego Melendez. Grambling State rallied in the sixth, pulling within a run, but Jackson State responded in the seventh with bases-loaded walks and three home runs from Reed, Cabral, and Edwin Lemus Hudson Jr. to pull away. Jackson State won 20-10, with Payton Chace Boines going 3-for-3 and scoring four runs. Cabral drove in five RBIs, and Reed, Melendez, and Hudson each contributed multiple RBIs.

Jayden Lopez earned the win in relief, pitching 5 1/3 innings and striking out nine. Manuel Toro and Jaedeyn Edwards finished the game with scoreless innings. Jackson State improved to 14-18 overall and 5-7 in conference play. The doubleheader concluded a series that started Friday afternoon and ended in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Jackson State will return home Tuesday to face Tougaloo. Follow the team on social media for updates.

Source: Original Article