JACKSON, Miss. – Alcorn's Keatan Hawk registered his third home run in his last three games Monday afternoon, as Alcorn dropped the series finale away to Jackson State 6-2 at Braddy Field in a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball game in Jackson, Mississippi.
 
The home-half of the seventh inning proved costly for visiting Alcorn (9-38, 3-21).
 
The Braves managed to pull within 3-2 in the top of the seventh on a two-run homer by right fielder Keatan Hawk – his blast to right field scoring Kanious Davis on the play as well – only to watch Jackson State answer immediately with three runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to put the game away. For Hawk, it was his third home run of the year, all of them coming in the last week against Grambling State and Jackson State, respectively.
 
The decisive rally began simply enough.
 
Jackson State right fielder/center fielder Tyree Reed reached on a bunt single and eventually scored on a passed ball to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead. Then with two outs, first baseman Shemar Harris singled to third base and the inning unraveled for Alcorn. A throwing error by third baseman Jamir Hollway allowed two additional runs to score, turning a one-run cushion into a four-run advantage that the Braves could not overcome.
 
Alcorn starter Kanious Davis absorbed the loss, dropping to 3-4 on the season. He was otherwise solid through six innings, surrendering just three runs (two earned) while striking out seven, but ran into trouble when the bullpen was called upon.
 
Reliever Yoni Castro retired just two of the five batters he faced in the seventh, allowing three runs (two earned) before giving way to Jacob Wingard who finished it off on the hill for the Purple and Gold.
 
Jackson State starter Derek Arrocha earned the win, improving to 4-4. He was dominant through the first six innings, scattering four hits while striking out six Alcorn batters and not allowing a single run. Jaedeyn Edwards closed it out with two scoreless innings for his third save of the season.
 
The Tigers (22-23, 12-12 SWAC) received steady contributions throughout from Reed, who reached base four times, scored twice and drove in a run. Hederick Torres added an RBI double in the second inning from his catcher position on the field defensively.
 
Alcorn first baseman Chance Jackson went 3-for-4, including what would have been his first home run of the season. However, the Raymond, Mississippi, junior was called out on a controversial call that would see him ruled to have stepped on the incorrect bag at first base as he was rounding the bases.
 
Shortstop Chase Moore had two hits including a double, but the Braves left 11 runners on base and went 0-for-several with men in scoring position across multiple innings. A late ninth-inning threat fizzled when Jackson was thrown out at the plate attempting to steal home.
 
The Braves return home for a league series with Prairie View A&M beginning Friday, May 8, at 6 p.m., inside Willie E. "Rat" McGowan Stadium in Lorman, Mississippi.
 
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