Southern University defeated Alcorn State 14-5 on Sunday afternoon in the series finale at Willie E. “Rat” McGowan Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi. The Jaguars scored five runs in the fifth inning and six in the ninth to complete the sweep of the Southwestern Athletic Conference series.
Southern (18-20, 11-6 SWAC) trailed 4-2 entering the fifth inning but took control with a decisive offensive burst. A walk, a hit-by-pitch, and a sacrifice fly tied the game at 4-4. Omari Johnson then delivered a two-run double to left-center field, giving the Jaguars a lead they would not relinquish. Johnson finished 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and two RBIs.
Kenyon Hughes went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a triple, while Kameron Byrd added two hits and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the ninth. Jacoby Radcliffe scored four times and stole two bases for Southern. Ryan Hunter reached base five times and scored twice from the leadoff spot.
Alcorn (8-32, 2-16 SWAC) jumped ahead early, scoring four runs in the third inning. Shortstop Asher Friedman delivered a two-RBI single to put the Braves ahead 4-2. Friedman finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Catcher Adrian Vallescorbo also drove in two runs for Alcorn, which was hampered by five errors on defense.
Pitching woes contributed to the loss for the Braves. Starter Kayden Sutton surrendered six runs (five earned) on three hits over 4 1/3 innings. He fell to 1-7. Relief pitchers Hayden Konkler and Garrett Oswald allowed eight runs on seven hits in the remaining innings.
Southern starter Quincy Thornton pitched three innings without factoring into the decision after allowing four unearned runs. Caden Brown earned the win to improve to 2-0, while Genesis Prosper finished with 3 1/3 innings of one-run relief to earn his first save. The Jaguars scored six runs in the ninth against Oswald and a defensively costly final inning by Alcorn.
The Braves will return to action Wednesday, April 22, traveling to Southeastern Louisiana for a nonconference game at 6 p.m. Follow Alcorn State Sports on Twitter (@BravesSports), Instagram (@AlcornSports), and YouTube (Braves Sports Network) for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.
