JACKSON, Miss. – Jackson State used a big second inning and a late surge to defeat Bethune-Cookman 10-3 in SWAC play Friday at JSU Softball Field. The loss was the Wildcats first conference loss, dropping them to 6-1 on the season.

Bethune-Cookman (10-19, 6-1 SWAC) struck first with a run in the opening inning on a Janel Morrisey RBI single.

Jackson State (12-12, 4-2 SWAC) would quickly respond with a first inning run of its own, with Jace Jackson coming through with an RBI double.

The Tigers then broke the game open in the second, scoring four runs to take a 5-1 lead.

B-CU added two more in the third on a base-hit by Alana Cypress to cut the deficit to 5-3, but could not generate any offense over the final four innings.

Jace Jackson led Jackson State at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI. Ka'Liyah Gipson added three hits and scored three runs, while Ariana Murillo finished with two hits, including a double, and an RBI.

Beija Allen provided a key insurance blow in the sixth inning with a three-run home run as part of Jackson State's four-run frame.

Bethune-Cookman totaled nine hits, led by Emma Bradley-Tse and Janel Morrisey with two apiece. Morrisey drove in a run and added two stolen bases, while Alana Cypress recorded a two-RBI hit.

Mia Gonzalez took the loss for the Wildcats, allowing 10 runs on 14 hits over six innings, striking out three without issuing a walk.

Jackson State pitcher Jorgina Gant earned the complete-game victory, giving up three runs on nine hits with four strikeouts.

The Tigers finished with 14 hits, while Bethune-Cookman had nine.

The series concludes with a double-header tomorrow afternoon, beginning at 2 p.m. EST.



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