THE HILL | A three-run fourth inning cut the Jackson State lead in half, but the Alabama A&M University softball team could not overcome the Jackson State Tigers, falling 9-5 in the first of three games.

HOW IT HAPPENED
In the first inning, JSU's Ka'Liyah Gipson walked before stealing second base. Jace Jackson singled, allowing Gipson to cross home plate. The Bulldogs only managed to get one on base at the bottom on the frame, bringing the Tigers back up to bat.

Jackson State used that momentum to score five runs in the second inning. Haley Howard was hit by the pitcher, moving her to first base. Ana Sanchez entered to pinch run for Howard, as Julia Lopez singled before Kristina Carlson was also hit by the pitcher, putting a runner on all three bases. Ariana Murillo reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Lopez to score, though Sanchez was called out at home. The Tigers quickly reloaded the bases. Mari Stephens walked, bringing Carlson around in the process. Jackson's single added two RBI's. Meah Almaraz's walk but JSU uniforms on each base. After a Bulldog pitching change, Gabrielle Willis singled, allowing Stephens to score to bring the Tiger tally to five. The next two batters struck out, leaving three on base, but earning a healthy lead.

The bottom of the second and third saw three up, three down, and AAMU held JSU scoreless at the top of the third to bring the teams to the fourth inning. Jackson got no runners on base at the top, giving the Bulldogs a chance to bite back. Ariana Montiel singled and stole second before Maria Paula Ocrospoma-Figueroa was hit by a pitch. Ki Davis entered to pinch run. With runners on second and third base, Allyson Riches grounded out, but not before Montiel scored. Zahria Jones singled to left field, allowing Davis to score. Callia Rooks pinch ran for Jones, and advanced to second from a Kaidence Swoopes single. Toni Purchas followed suit, bringing Rooks across home plate, cutting the Tiger lead in half (4-3).

Neither team got anything going in the fifth. At the top of the sixth, JSU scored two more runs to regain a five-run lead. At the top of the 7th, Valerie Joaquin singled to center field, allowing Lopez to score the final JSU run. At the bottom of the final stanza, Catherine Hickey singled to center field before Green pinch ran for her and stole second. Dakota Daniel singled to first base with Green advancing to third. Montiel singled and allowed Green to score, and Daniel to advance to third. Akyndra Montalvo reached on a fielders choice and Montiel scored the fifth Bulldog run, but it was not enough, as JSU claimed the contest, 9-5.

UP NEXT
AAMU and JSU continue the three-game series, playing a 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday. Both games will be live streamed via Bulldogs All-Access. Fans wishing to attend in person can do so for free, with parking available in the gravel lots or the parking lot at the AAMU Event Center.

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