LOLMAN, Miss. — Jaylyn Bennett homered for the second time this season, but Alcorn State fell to Southern University 17-5 in the second game of a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference series Saturday at Willie E. “Rat” McGowan Stadium.
The game was delayed for an hour and two minutes in the bottom of the fifth due to rain in the Lorman area. Southern opened the game with six runs in the first inning and maintained its lead throughout. The Jaguars, now 17-20 overall and 10-6 in SWAC play, scored early and often, with Southern’s leadoff man reaching on a fielding error and 11 batters coming to the plate in the first.
Alcorn State, now 8-31 overall and 2-15 in conference, showed resilience despite the early deficit. Bennett finished 2-for-5 with a double, a solo home run to left-center in the fifth inning, and two RBIs. Right fielder Keatan Hawk reached base twice and scored twice, while catcher Nico Garcia added a run-scoring single. Clayvonjae Wright contributed a clutch RBI single in the seventh, helping the Braves cut the lead to 13-5.
The Braves totaled nine hits and responded to Southern scoring bursts in four different innings. However, the Jaguars had more in reserve each time, extending their lead into the late innings. KJ White Jr. led Southern with a 4-for-7 effort, two RBIs, and two stolen bases. Kameron Byrd drove in two runs and tripled, while Ryan Hunter added a triple and three RBIs. Designated hitter Jaylon Lucky drew six walks and scored three runs.
Southern’s pitcher Myles Dismute earned the win to improve to 4-0, working seven innings, allowing five hits, five runs (four earned), and striking out seven. Jayden Lawrence pitched the final two innings, striking out three. Alcorn starter Kanious Davis took the loss, falling to 3-3 after four innings in which he issued eight walks and allowed eight runs, one earned.
The series concludes Sunday at 1 p.m. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.
