3-run seventh gives Jaguars 3-0 victory at XULA

NEW ORLEANS — Starting pitchers Kenedi Jackson of Xavier University of Louisiana and Raquel Latta of Southern allowed one hit and zero runs apiece during the first six innings, then the Jaguars scored three in the seventh to earn a 3-0 softball victory Tuesday at Wesley Barrow Stadium.

NCAA Division I Southern (13-27) produced three hits in the seventh and scored on an error, a wild pitch and Paytin Mercado’s two-out RBI single.

Chenai Keyes had the only hit for NAIA member XULA (13-24), a bases-empty, two-out single in the third inning. But Keyes was thrown out trying to steal. The Gold Nuggets had four other baserunners, all stranded at second base.

Latta (5-5) threw 95 pitches, walked one, struck out five and retired the final five batters and 12 of the last 13. Jackson (1-2) threw 84 pitches, walked one, and hit two batters. Jackson entered the seventh having retired the last seven Jaguars and 13 of 14.

XULA’s Alexis Richardson stole two bases.

XULA and Southern were scheduled for a doubleheader, but on Monday the schools announced the change.

The Gold Nuggets will travel to Texas for 1 p.m. CDT Red River Athletic Conference doubleheaders at Huston-Tillotson Friday and Houston-Victoria Saturday. XULA will make up a conference home doubleheader with Texas College the weekend of April 29-30, but no other details are available yet.