Southern University defeated Jackson State 4-3 in a ten-inning game on May 20 at Rickwood Field, earning its first win of the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament.
The game was closely contested, with Southern recording only three hits but drawing six walks and taking advantage of opportunities late in the game. Jackson State had ten hits but could not convert enough chances to secure the victory.
In the bottom of the tenth inning, Southern tied the score when Beny Bikar Jr. hit an RBI double to right-center field. The Jaguars then loaded the bases, and Jaylon Lucky delivered a walk-off RBI fielder’s choice that brought home Bikar for the winning run. Earlier, Ryan Hunter hit a solo home run in the eighth inning to tie the game for Southern.
Jackson State took an early lead with two runs in the second inning from Payton Chace Boines and Isaac McClenty. Southern responded with a run in their half of that inning on a groundout by Kenyon Hughes. In extra innings, Jackson State briefly went ahead after Edwin Lemus Hudson was hit by a pitch with bases loaded, but Southern reliever Caleb Ellis prevented further scoring and earned the win after finishing out the top half of the tenth.
Key contributors for Southern included Jacoby Radcliffe, who stole three bases and scored once; Bobby Spencer, who pitched seven innings; Beny Bikar Jr., who had both an RBI double and scored twice; Ryan Hunter with his home run; and Caleb Ellis out of the bullpen.
With this victory, Southern extended its conference winning streak to sixteen games as it continues deeper into postseason play.
