BIRMINGHAM, AL — Southern University scored twice in the bottom of the 10th inning, capped by Jaylon Lucky's walk-off RBI fielder's choice, to defeat Jackson State 4-3 Wednesday at Rickwood Field and earn its first win of the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament.
Southern (28-21) managed just three hits but capitalized on patience at the plate with six walks and timely execution late in the game. Jackson State fell to 26-26 despite collecting 10 hits.
Trailing 3-2 entering the bottom of the 10th, Southern opened the inning with a walk by Glenn Green IIIbefore pinch runner Edward Gregory Jr. came around to score onBeny Bikar Jr.'s game-tying RBI double to right-center field. After Xavier Bradley reached on a fielder's choice and KJ White Jr. was intentionally walked, Lucky delivered the decisive RBI on a ground ball to shortstop that allowed Bikar to score the winning run.
Jackson State took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on RBI hits from Payton Chace Boines and Isaac McClenty. Southern answered with a run in the bottom half when Kenyon Hughes grounded out to score Jacoby Radcliffe.
The Jaguars tied the game in the eighth inning when Ryan Hunter blasted a solo home run to right field, his lone hit of the afternoon.
Jackson State briefly regained the lead in the 10th after Edwin Lemus Hudson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in a run. Southern reliever Caleb Ellis escaped further damage and earned the victory after recording the final out of the inning.
Keys to Victory for Southern
- Clutch late-inning execution: Southern scored the tying and winning runs in the final two innings despite recording only three hits.
- Aggressive base running: Jacoby Radcliffe stole three bases and scored Southern's first run to keep the Jaguars within striking distance.
- Pitching resilience: Southern pitchers stranded 11 Jackson State runners and limited the Tigers to 3-for-13 hitting with runners in scoring position.
- Bullpen response: Ellis entered with the bases loaded in the 10th inning and prevented additional damage before Southern's walk-off rally.
Outstanding Southern Performers
Hunter finished 1-for-5 with a game-tying solo homer in the eighth inning and scored one run.
Bikar went 1-for-3 with a walk and delivered the game-tying RBI double in the 10th inning while also scoring the winning run.
Radcliffe scored a run and stole three bases, providing a spark on the basepaths throughout the game.
The Southern starter worked seven innings, allowing two runs on eight hits while keeping the Jaguars in the game.
Ellis earned the win after recording the final out in the top of the 10th before Southern completed the comeback in the bottom half.
Southern's dramatic walk-off victory not only kept its SWAC Tournament hopes alive, but also extended the Jaguars' remarkable conference winning streak to 16 straight games, further solidifying Southern as one of the hottest and most resilient teams in the league heading deeper into postseason play.
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