Texas Southern captured the series over Jackson State following a 15-9 decision on Saturday at MacGregor Park.
Prior to the game, TSU and the newly formed Third Ward Little League participated in pregame ceremonies as the little leaguers ran onto the field with the Tigers.
JSU opened the first with a run but TSU answered in the bottom frame as Byron Robinson drove in Zachari Pace followed by Evan Joubert bases loaded walk. The lead increased to 5-1 in the second as Christopher Chavez singled home Nate Lopez along with Joubert's two-RBI single. JSU crossed home a run in the third but TSU would respond once again as Lopez's RBI single drove in Shaun Williams.
Jackson State led the fourth off with a solo homer but Joubert once again countered with a two-run homer in the fourth as the lead grew to 8-3. TSU's five-run lead would disappear unfortunately after a five-run fifth by JSU as they opened the top of the sixth with a pitching change in Landyn Grant.
Grant pitched a 1-2-3 sixth and the offense rewarded him in the bottom frame as Lopez tripled home Williams followed by Pace's RBI single for a 10-8 margin. TSU tacked on two runs in the seventh on Miguel Morales' RBI single and Elijah Rodriguez's single. Byron Robinson and Morales combined for three runs in the eighth to seal the win and the series.
TSU's 18-hit attack was led by Robinson's and Joubert's three hits apiece. Pace, Jonathan Trejo, Chavez, Morales and Lopez all had hit two outs. Joubert led the way with five RBI followed by three from Robinson and two from Morales and Lopez.
Grant earned his first win of the year in relief after striking out two with only one hit allowed in two innings of work.
The series concludes at 1 p.m. Sunday inside MacGregor Park.
