MADISON, Ala. – Jackson State defeated Grambling State 9-5 Friday and advanced to the 2021 SWAC Tournament Championship Game on Sunday for the first time since 2014.
 
After spotting GSU a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, JSU responded in its half of the inning.
 
JSU sophomore Jatavious Melton started the frame with a walk and senior Chandler Dillard and sophomore Ty Hill delivered back-to-back bunt singles to load the bases.
 
Jackson State freshman Chenar Brown singled to right field to score Melton and put JSU on the board and Dillard scored on a wild pitch to tie the game at 2-2. Brown also scored on a wild pitch and senior Equon Smith capped the inning with a three-run home run to left field and JSU opened up a 5-2 lead.
 
In the bottom of the second inning JSU freshman Chevy Dorris singled to center field and Melton was hit by the pitch on a full count to put runners on first and second base.
 
Dillard laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners. Hill was hit by the pitch to load the bases and senior CJ Newsome drilled a line drive to deep center field for a bases-clearing triple.
 
JSU added a run in the bottom of the fifth with a Marshal Luiz sacrifice fly to left field to score Wesley Reyes.
 
Devontae Rhodes started for the first time this season and pitched well in the pressure situation. Rhodes threw 4 1/3 innings, scattered seven hits, allowed three runs and one walk and fanned five.
 
Mario Lopez entered in relief and earned the win for the second night in a row. The lefty tossed 3 1/3 innings, allowed five hits and two runs and fanned two batters.
 
Lopez gave way to Steven Davila in the seventh inning. The junior threw 1 1/3 innings and fanned two batters to earn the save.
 
Newsome batted 2-for-4 with three RBI and Hill finished 3-for-4.
 
JSU awaits Southern/Prairie View A&M in the SWAC Championship.

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.

Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.