Southwestern Athletic Conference

The championship will be broadcast live on ESPN3 at 2 p.m.  Southern will play either Texas Southern or Grambling State in the title game.

Gavin Webster led Southern at the plate.  He went 2-for-3 with two RBI and was the only Jaguar with multiple hits.  JSU’s Gary Thomas finished with a game-high three hits.

Jackson State came out on fire in the top of the first inning.  Gary Thomas led off the game with a double to right center.  He scored on a throwing error by third baseman Rivers Frederick. With one out and a runner in scoring position, Jesus Santana hit an RBI single to left center.  It was followed up by a single from Tilur Smith who then stole second to put two runners in scoring position.  When Bryce Brown reached on a throwing error, Smith came around to score along with another run to put the Tigers up 4-0.

The Jaguars came back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning and the team’s remained deadlocked, 4-2, until the eighth.  Jackson State extended its lead to three off an RBI triple to right center.  But Southern responded in the bottom of the inning with a rally.

A wild pitch with bases loaded brought the first run across. Webster then doubled down the right field line to score tying run.  When the Tigers were unable to get score the go-ahead run, Southern went to work.

JSU’s Sebron Mackey walked the first batter in the top of the ninth.  River Frederick laid down the sac bunt and Tyler Kirksey motored around to an empty third base.  He just beat out the shortstop and slid safely 90 feet from home.  Tomlin walked and the next batter was hit to load the bases.

DeLa Torre watched the first three pitches and then drilled one deep into left field.  Kirksey trotted home and the celebration began.