The Jackson State baseball team rallied from a six-run deficit to defeat Butler 11-7 Wednesday at Braddy Field.
The Tigers (12-2) won their 10th straight game by erasing a 7-1 deficit in the fifth inning. Jonah Posey (2-1) pitched 2 1/3 innings of one-hit relief to spark the comeback and held Butler scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, allowing one hit and striking out five. Erick Gonzalez pitched the final two innings to earn his third save, allowing no hits and striking out four as Jackson State posted its fifth come-from-behind win of the season.
After scoring one run in the fifth to make the margin 7-2, the Tigers made it a game with four runs in the sixth, all with two outs. Daniel Bannon’s single to center field scored Cesar Saavedra, who reached on a fielder’s choice. After an infield single by Jatavis Melton, Ty Hill’s two-run double to left field cut the deficit to 7-5. Bret Mersman’s double down the right field line scored Hill to make the score 7-6.
In the seventh, Myles White led off with a single and, with one out, advanced to second on a wild pitch. After Luiz reached on an error and White stole third, Saavedra reached on a fielder’s choice scoring White to tie the score. Bannon’s single to center loaded the bases, Melton then reached on a fielder’s choice as Luiz and Saavedra scored to put the Tigers ahead, 9-7.
Jackson State added a pair of insurance runs in the eighth. After Marcus Atterberry reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third, Luiz’ suicide squeeze bunt single scored Atterberry. Luiz later scored on a throwing error for the final margin.
Bannon, Mersman, and Saavedra each had two hits for Jackson State, which returns to action Tuesday at Louisiana-Lafayette at 6 p.m.