Coach Chris Crenshaw’s Southern team found itself in a pitchers’ duel in its first game of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament — and the Jaguars came out on top.
No. 2 Southern beat No. 7 Jackson State 4–3 in 10 innings on Wednesday at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Senior first baseman Jaylon Lucky drilled a walk‑off RBI single to bring sophomore shortstop Benny Bikar home.
The Jaguars entered the postseason as the hottest team, winning 15 straight conference games. They haven’t lost to a SWAC opponent since April 4, when they lost to No. 1 Bethune-Cookman. They also haven’t scored fewer than seven runs against a conference foe since that loss on April 4.
Southern found itself in a pitchers’ duel behind senior starter Bobby Spencer, who worked seven innings and allowed two earned runs and two walks on eight hits while striking out two. The right-handed pitcher delivered one of Southern’s strongest performances on the mound this season.
Junior left-handed pitcher Genesis Prosper relieved Spencer in the seventh as the Jaguars trailed 2-1.
Jackson State scored the game’s first run in the second inning on a double down the left‑field line by junior Payton Chace Boines. The Tigers entered the game ranked 53rd nationally in total doubles (108)
Not long after the run, Southern starting Spencer picked off a runner at first with a throw to first baseman Jaylon Lucky. However, Jackson State followed that first out with a base hit that gave it a 2-0 lead.
Southern scored its first run in the bottom of the second, when freshman third baseman Kenyon Hughes grounded out to bring home senior Jacoby Radcliffe.
Jackson State senior Jayden Lopez started and went 6 1/3 innings, allowing one hit with four walks and seven strikeouts.
Southern right fielder Ryan Hunter tied the game in the eighth inning after a solo home run to right field. The lead-off hitter’s home run was the second hit of the game for his team.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Prosper stayed steady on the mound. After putting two runners on, he struck out the final batter swinging to keep the score tied at 2.
However, Southern was unable to score in the bottom of the frame, leading to extra innings.
At the top of the 10th, Jackson State put two on with two outs. After Prosper walked Hederick Torres to load the bases, coach Chris Crenshaw turned to senior Caleb Ellis, who leads the team with six saves.
Jackson State took a 3–2 lead when Ellis hit designated hitter Edwin Lemus Hudson with a pitch.
Southern entered the bottom of the 10th needing a run to stay alive. Bikar delivered a clutch double that brought home senior Edward Gregory with no outs.
When the Jaguars had runners on second and third and one out, Jackson State intentionally walked KJ White, the SWAC Hitter of the Year. Lucky was next up and delivered the base hit Southern needed as Bikar reached home.
Southern’s next game is against No. 3 Florida A&M at 3 p.m. at Rickwood Field. FAMU beat No. 6 Texas Southern 8- 6 earlier on Wednesday.