JACKSON, Miss. – The Alcorn State University baseball program drew more walks than the Tigers (4-3) but could not overcome an early deficit in defeat, 10-0.
The Braves (6-10, 6-8 SWAC) were hindered by five errors and just three hits as JSU capitalized on a strong start to put the Purple and Gold in a quick six-run hole after two innings.
Tristin Garcia boosted his NCAA-leading batting average up a point to .470 with a 1-for-2 afternoon while also reaching base the hard way via hit-by-pitch plus
Garrett Palladino was plunked with a pitch and walked as well.
Khalil Smith used his excellent plate vision to walk twice and
Tyler Smith drew one too.
Jordan McGowan and
Jamil Betancourt were the two other Baseball Braves to record base knocks along with Garcia.
Kobe Head got the start, laboring through five innings and averaged a strikeout per frame with five Tiger whiffs.
Catcher
Kyle Jenkins held the nation's top stealing squad in check, allowing just two stolen bags.
Jackson State (22-7, 16-0 SWAC) continues to roll right along, notching its 16th consecutive SWAC victory in seven.
Seven of the nine batters for the home team had multiple hits, led by Jatavious Melton's 3-of-5 game with a double and two RBIs.
The Blue Bengals' starter was Anthony Becerra and he was on his A-game for the Blue and White, tossing a complete game shutout on three hits, fanning nine Braves and surrendering three walks to
improve his record to 5-1.
JSU moved its record to 165-101-1 against the men from Lorman.
There will be no time for the Braves to wallow in defeat as it will have a less than 24-hour turnaround for game two, same time and same place on Saturday for a chance to even the series.
#FearTheBrave
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