Jackson State baseball secured it’s biggest win in school history beating No. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette 1-0 Friday in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
JSU pitcher Vincent Anthonia, who made his fourth start of the season, went seven shutout innings to pick up the win. Closer Alexander Juday held the Ragin’ Cajuns scoreless in the eighth and ninth to record the save to secure the Tigers’ first postseason win in 10 tries.
Junior infielder Melvin Rodriguez drove in the game’s only run with a RBI single in the fourth inning.
Louisiana-Lafayette (53-8), ranked No. 1 in some national polls and the No. 6 national seed, stranded 11 baserunners. Austin Robichaux (7-3) took the loss for Louisiana-Lafayette, which plays San Diego State in an elimination game Saturday.
JSU will face Mississippi State Saturday 6 p.m..
“Don’t misunderstand me, I’m definitely happy,” Jackson State coach Omar Johnson said. “It’s outstanding. Outside of the bus, this team has dealt with a lot.
“I tell them all the time. Just play a clean game. Play a clean game and anything can happen.”