JACKSON, Miss. |The Grambling State University softball team opened its 2024 season in the River City Classic hosted by Jackson State, splitting a pair of games on Friday and Saturday. On Saturday, GSU soundly defeated Xavier (La.) 9-1 in five innings. In Friday's contest, the Tigers fell to JSU 2-0.  
 
Game 1 – Grambling State vs. Jackson State 
 
Friday afternoons game versus Jackson State was a low scoring affair that saw JSU take advantage of a few defensive miscues by Grambling State. GSU committed three errors in the opening contest. 
 
GSU starting pitcher Dacia Richard (0-1) had a solid 2024 debut, working 6.0 innings and striking out four batters. She walked two batters and surrendered two unearned runs.
 
Freshman Z'Natria Evans led GSU at the plate going 2-for-3. 
 
Game 2 – Grambling State vs. Xavier (La.)
 
Grambling State (1-1) bounced back on Saturday afternoon with a 9-1 victory over Xavier (La.) 
 
The Tigers took advantage of eight errors by the Gold Nuggets.
 
Kamryn Broussard and Nyah Jones had the hot bats for Grambling State. Broussard went 1-for-2 with a double a two RBI. Jones was 1-for-2 with three RBI.
 
GSU got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning after its first three batters reached base via two errors and a walk. Jones cleared the bases with a 3-RBI single to left field, eventually advancing the third base of the play. 
 
In the bottom of the second, and with two runners on base, Broussard ripped a 2-RBI double to left field, stretching GSU's lead to 5-0. Xavier couldn't recover from the opening onslaught, as the Tigers cruised to the 9-1 triumph. 
 
Erin Gibbs (1-0) earned the win for the Grambling State, pitching 3.0 innings and fanning three batters. She allowed three hits and walked one. 
 
Jordan Hodge made a relief appearance for the Tigers, tossing 2.0 innings. She struck out two batters, allowed two hits, one walk and one run. 
 
Up Next
From Feb. 16-18, Grambling State will compete in the HBCU Collegiate Invitational in Covington, Ga. The Tigers open play versus the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore and North Carolina A&T on Friday, Feb. 16.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
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