DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Hermariya Stephens' two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning lifted visiting Jackson State to a 5-4 win over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday afternoon in the second game of a three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Softball series at Sunnyland Park.
 
A one-out single from Huckabee – followed by a stolen base to work her way into scoring position at second, was immediately followed by a decisive two-run home run from Hermariya Stephens at the top of the lineup for Jackson State (15-16, 4-4 SWAC).
 
JSU led 5-3 heading into the bottom of the frame.
 
Bethune-Cookman (7-23, 5-3 SWAC) answered in the Wildcats at-bat with the first two batters reaching safely – a single from leadoff hitter Haley Parks and a fielder's choice from centerfielder Joslynn Davis (the attempt to cut down Parks at second was mishandled allowing her to advance). Kayla Traylor grounded out, but advanced both runners up a base on the next play.
 
A sacrifice fly to left was collected in the next at-bat by Desirae Martinez, pushing across Parks on the play and cutting the BCU deficit at 5-4.
 
However, a deep fly ball was gathered on the warning track by Tigers centerfielder Monica Serrano to collect the out and even the series at one game apiece.
 
For the second game in a row, BCU scored first in the home-half of the opening frame.
 
A Martinez single to left plated Davis, who reached on a single herself two plays earlier.
 
The Wildcats doubled the lead at 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth when third baseman Shania Owens singled past the glove of JSU shortstop Rachel Barker, allowing pinch runner Katelynn Perez to score easily.
 
Jackson State scored three runs in the top of the sixth in order to gain a 3-2 advantage.
 
A Jace Jackson sacrifice fly to left was enough to plate Stephens and half the deficit for the Tigers at 2-1. Isabel Gusman followed with a single to center that brought around Brooklyn Morris to tie the game at 2-2. The Tigers eventually took their first lead of the series courtesy the second sac fly of the inning from the visitors, this one off the bat of Monica Serrano that brought in pinch runner Beija Allen from third.
 
BCU answered in the bottom of the inning to knot the game at 3-all.
 
Essence Gibbs reached on an error charged to the JSU infield, and then found her way to third on a ground out from Owens. Pinch hitter Ciera Clark posted a two-out RBI single to right that scored Gibbs.
 
Macie Kuppenbender (3-3) earned the win for the Tigers with seven innings worked in the pitcher's circle, giving up four runs (two earned) on seven hits, three walks and one strikeout. The loss went to BCU reliever Victoria Guzman (1-9) as she tossed 1.2 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and picking up three strikeouts.
 
Wildcats starting pitcher Halyne Gonzalez worked five innings in the circle for the Maroon and Gold without factoring into the decision, as she was hit for two runs on four hits, a walk and picked up a game-high eight strikeouts.
 
JSU was led offensively by Stephens and Morris each going 2-for-4 at the plate, added the Stephens game-winning home run.
 
The Wildcats were charged offensively by Davis and Martinez each picking up two hits, while Martinez added two RBIs as well.
 
The two teams meet for the series finale Sunday at noon back at Sunnyland Park.
 
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