Jackson State’s Jackson, Gipson, Gant Earn All-SWAC Softball Honors

Jackson State softball players Jace Jackson, Ka’Liyah Gipson, and Jorgina Gant earned postseason honors from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the school announced. Jackson was named to the All-SWAC First Team as a third baseman, while Gipson and Gant received second-team honors as an outfielder and pitcher, respectively.

Jackson, a junior, was a consistent offensive force for the Tigers. She led the team with 63 hits in 44 games, ranking third in the SWAC, and drove in 41 RBIs, seventh in the conference. She posted a .444 batting average, fifth in the SWAC, and a .517 on-base percentage, sixth in the league. Jackson scored 41 runs and was ranked 22nd nationally in toughest to strike out, according to the school.

Defensively, Jackson recorded 27 putouts and 81 assists at third base, finishing with an .897 fielding percentage. Her season highs included five hits in a game and eight assists. Over her career, she totaled 217 hits, 164 putouts, 157 RBIs, and 13 home runs. Jackson also led the NCAA in stolen bases per game, continuing her reputation as a disruptive baserunner.

Gipson, a sophomore outfielder, ranked fifth nationally and first in the SWAC with 36 stolen bases in 38 attempts. She also hit .425 with 48 hits, 33 runs, and 12 RBIs. In conference play, she batted .389 with a .476 on-base percentage and scored 24 runs, making her a key contributor to Jackson State’s offense, which ranks 38th nationally in batting average.

Gant, a freshman pitcher, led Jackson State’s pitching staff with a 10-5 record and a 3.06 ERA over 103 innings. She also led the team in wins, strikeouts (69), and complete games, including three shutouts. Gant posted a 7-1 record in conference play with a 2.38 ERA and opponents batting .242 against her. Her leadership on the mound was a critical factor in the Tigers’ success this season.

The Tigers are scheduled to open the SWAC Tournament on Tuesday against West Texas Southern at 10:30 a.m., with coverage on SWACT TV. Jackson State Athletics can be followed on social media at @GoJSUTigers, Jackson State Tigers on Facebook, or at GoJSUTigers.com.

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