MADISON, Ala. – Jackson State defeated Grambling State 14-13 on a Jatavious Melton walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to advance to the next round of the 2021 SWAC Baseball Championship.
 
With one out in the bottom of the ninth Omar Gomez delivered with a single and moments later advanced to second base on a wild pitch. This brought-up Melton, who is the Tigers lead-off hitter, and the sophomore hit a rope down the left-field line to score Gomez and secure the win.
 
Tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the third, JSU erupted for six runs in its part of the inning. JSU's Ty Hill was hit by the pitch and Chenar Brown doubled to left-center field and put runners in scoring position. Jackson State outfielder CJ Newsome singled through the left side to push across Hill and Brown.
 
Senior and veteran leader Wesley Reyes delivered a bunt single and JSU outfielder Equon Smith followed that with a single to score Reyes and Newsome. The Tigers Marshal Luiz executed a sacrifice bunt to score Smith as JSU led 6-1.
 
JSU put together a seven-run fifth inning. Reyes reached base on a walk and Luiz singled through the left side to advance Reyes to third base. Chevy Dorris executed a sacrifice bunt to score Reyes and Melton delivered with an RBI triple.
 
Jackson State outfielder Chandler Dillard singled through the left side to score Melton. Moments later Hill reached base on an error on the shortstop, and Dillard scored.

Brown added an RBI single to left field and Newsome singled through the right side to put runners on the corners. Newsome then stole second base, which brought up Reyes. The right-hander reached on an error by the shortstop, but the damage was done, and two unearned runs crossed home plate.
 
JSU led 13-1 after five completing innings. GSU countered with six runs in the sixth and seventh innings and tied the game at 13-13.
 
Jackson State's Mario Lopez (6-0) tossed the final 2 1/3 innings allowing no runs to cross home plate. JSU plays Friday at 3:00 p.m. versus the winner between Texas Southern and Grambling.

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
 
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.

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