FULTON, MS – The Indians launched five home runs, including a grand slam, to tally 16 runs on 17 hits in a season-opening sweep of Jackson State (TN) on a rainy Friday at Cresap Field.
Game 1: Indians 4, Jackson State 3 [Game Highlights]
The Indians (1-0) opened the season in dramatic fashion, securing a 4-3 walk-off win over Jackson State (0-1) with a solo home run by Bryson Jackson in the bottom of the seventh.
Jackson State took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, but the Indians responded with two runs in the bottom half. Stone Collier was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and later scored when Madden Butler tripled off the right-field wall. Butler then crossed home on a single by Jarrett Morris, putting the Indians ahead 2-1.
The Indians extended their lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Butler walked and scored on a two-out error.
Jackson State tied the game in the seventh with a two-run home run and had the go-ahead run on first, but Collier caught him attempting to steal second, ending the threat.
Tyler Yearwood (1-0) earned the win in relief, allowing three hits and two runs over three innings while striking out four and walking four.
Offensively, Morris led with two hits, Butler added a triple, and Jackson sealed the win with a home run as the Indians collected five hits.
Game 2: Indians 12, Jackson State 2 (6 innings) [Game Highlights]
The Indians (2-0) powered their way to a 12-2 run-rule victory in six innings, completing the sweep over the Greenjays (0-2) with four home runs.
Jackson set the tone early, crushing the first pitch he saw to the same spot as his Game 1 walk-off, giving the Indians a 1-0 lead in the first.
Jackson State responded with two runs, taking a 2-1 lead after three innings.
The Indians regained control in the fourth. Evan McCarthy tied the game with a solo home run to left, Butler doubled and later scored on a groundout by Hank Stalnaker, and Jude Treadaway singled and scored on a sacrifice fly by Morris, putting the Indians up 4-2.
Butler extended the lead in the fifth with a three-run home run.
In the sixth, Jackson was hit by a pitch and later scored on a single by Butler. Reid Kent then blasted a grand slam to left, sealing the 12-2 win.
Will Lipscomb (1-0) earned the win with a dominant relief performance, tossing 3.1 scoreless and hitless innings.
The Indians racked up 12 hits. McCarthy and Butler each had three hits, including a home run, with Butler also adding a double. Kent and Treadaway recorded two hits apiece, with Kent delivering a grand slam. Jackson added a home run as well.
Notably, Butler hit for the cycle across both games, collecting a triple in Game 1 and a single, double, and home run in Game 2.
The Indians and Greenjays will meet again tomorrow, with first pitch set for 12 p.m. in Jackson, Tenn.
