Wakil Atig
Sports Writer
The Tigers of Jackson State University have been on a tremendous tear during the last leg of the regular season. Since their stellar victory over Alcorn State on March 31, the Tigers have been on a 13-game winning streak.
The Tigers have been dominating competition in the last month while improving their overall record for the season at 25-18 and 12-6 in conference play.
On April 20, which was Senior Day, the Tigers showed nothing less than pure dominance as they pounced on the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University, defeating them 19-3. The game was ultimately ended in the seventh inning due to the 10-0 mercy rule.
The Tigers gained control of the game early on. They scored a total of seven runs in the bottom of the first inning alone and never allowed Mississippi Valley a chance to gain any momentum.
It was a rough outing for the Delta Devils.
To get things rolling for the Tigers, senior Raul Hernandez hit an RBI single up the middle that was followed by an RBI double down the left field line by junior Jaylyn Williams. Junior Wesley Reyes then added a two-RBI double through the left side as the Tigers were leading the game 4-0.
The Tigers were unstoppable at this point.
As the first inning closed, senior Tyler Culpepper scored off a Mississippi Valley error on the field. The Delta Devils were completely discombobulated by the barrage of hits by the Tigers.
Junior Chandler Dillard added an RBI single and junior Equon Smith came in the clutch with a sacrifice fly to close the scoring in the first inning. Smith finished the game 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
Culpepper continued his dominance throughout the game as he finished 3-for-5 with five runs batted in and scoring three times. Junior Chris Prentiss batted 3-for-5 with two RBIs and scored two runs.
Senior Justin Moore went 1-for-1 with two RBIs in his lone at-bat.
Redshirt Anthony Becerra had a great pitching performance for the Tigers. He tossed 6 innings, scattered six hits, allowed three runs, two walks, and fanned seven batters. He also induced eight flyouts.
In the end, the Tigers were just too much for the Delta Devils of Mississippi Valley State University.
This win concluded a series sweep by the Tigers and proved once again why they are one of the best teams in the conference. Fans definitely were excited as they cheered on the Tigers on what so far has been a magical season.
Despite all the adversity the team has been faced with this season, they have remained firm and persistent. A true testament to what a team is.
This game was also an inaugural Homecoming for 1977 and 1978 teams as they were both honored before the game. The 1978 team still holds the school’s record for most wins with 52.
Taliah Cooper, a senior psychology major from Chicago, Ill. said, “This year’s baseball team is very good. Since I have been at Jackson State University, I don’t remember them winning this many games in a row. I hope they carry this winning attitude into the playoffs. It would be great to win a championship.”
NaKaela Cobb, a freshman social work major from Chicago, Ill., said this team has made her into a baseball fan.
“I am so proud of our baseball team. Before coming to Jackson State, I never was a fan of baseball. But after going to a few games and seeing them blow teams out, I’m a fan now. We have the best baseball amongst HBCUs and that’s facts. They make me proud to be a Tiger,” said Cobb.
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