VERO BEACH, Fla. — Texas Southern represented on the HBCU stage with grit and flashes of thunder at the Andre Dawson Classic, sandwiching a high‑octane comeback win over Southern between narrow defeats to Jackson State and Alabama State. The Tigers showcased competitive pitching, timely power and depth throughout the neutral‑site weekend.
GAME 1 — Jackson State 3, Texas Southern 2
Tigers strike first, but late sixth‑inning swing tilts opener
Texas Southern jumped ahead twice but fell 3–2 to Jackson State in Friday's opener. Jonathan Trejo delivered a first‑inning RBI single to score Nate Lopez, and Byron Robinson's sacrifice fly in the third put TSU back in front, 2–1. Joshua Pena gave the Tigers a quality start with six innings of three‑hit ball, but the Tigers couldn't answer after the Tigers of JSU plated two in the sixth.
Key TSU highlights: Jonathan Trejo 2‑for‑4, RBI; Byron Robinson SF, RBI; Joshua Pena 6.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R.
GAME 2 — Texas Southern 15, Southern 12
Seven‑run seventh caps electric comeback on Saturday
In a slugfest that embodied HBCU energy, Texas Southern erased an early 4–0 hole and outlasted Southern 15–12 behind an 11‑hit barrage and a seven‑run seventh inning. Christopher Chavez jump‑started the rally with a two‑RBI triple in the second, and the Tigers poured on four more in the third—highlighted by RBI knocks from Miguel Morales, Marco Mueses, and a two‑RBI single by Erwin Cabassa—to lead 7–5. After Southern surged back, TSU answered with a statement seventh: Zachari Pace homered to left, Byron Robinson forced in the go‑ahead run with a bases‑loaded walk, Jonathan Trejo singled in another, and Pace later tacked on a two‑RBI single to make it 14–10. Miguel Morales added an RBI hit‑by‑pitch in the eighth to secure the Tigers' most prolific output of the weekend.
Key TSU highlights: Christopher Chavez 2 RBI (triple); Jonathan Trejo 2‑for‑5, 2 R, RBI; Miguel Morales 2 RBI; Marco Mueses 2 RBI; Erwin Cabassa 3 RBI; Zachari Pace HR, 3 RBI; Byron Robinson 2 RBI (including bases‑loaded walk).
GAME 3 — Alabama State 2, Texas Southern 1
Justin Mayes fans 10 in Sunday pitchers' duel
Texas Southern closed the Classic with a 2–1 loss to Alabama State despite a standout start from Justin Mayes, who struck out 10 over seven innings. Miguel Morales opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second, but the Hornets pushed across single runs in the fourth and sixth to edge in front. TSU tallied eight hits—Byron Robinson collected three and Zachari Pace added two—but stranded runners late, including the tying run in the ninth.
Key TSU highlights: Miguel Morales HR; Justin Mayes 7.0 IP, 10 K; Byron Robinson 3 H; Zachari Pace 2 H.
