ETTRICK, Va. — Virginia State used a dominant late-inning rally to defeat Morris, 17-9, on Saturday afternoon in a high-scoring contest at home.

The Trojans responded quickly after Morris struck first in the opening inning. Virginia State answered in the bottom of the first when Jaquan Tucker drove in a run with an RBI single before Luka Gilliam followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Trojans an early lead.

Virginia State extended its advantage in the second inning with a five-run outburst. Norman Jackson started the rally with an RBI double, and Antonio Boone followed with a two-run single to push the lead further. Gilliam and Samuel Young continued the surge with extra-base hits that helped the Trojans take control of the game.

Despite the early deficit, Morris continued to battle back throughout the middle innings, gradually closing the gap and making it a one-run game entering the eighth inning.

Virginia State responded in a big way in the bottom of the eighth, erupting for seven runs to break the game open. The inning featured timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, highlighted by a two-run double from Matthew May along with additional run-producing plays that extended the Trojans' lead and sealed the victory.

Offensively, several Trojans had strong performances at the plate. Boone scored three runs and drove in two, while Tucker and Young each finished with multiple RBIs. Jackson also contributed with key hits and runs scored, and May added two RBIs during the decisive eighth-inning rally.

On the mound, Charles Jones earned the win for Virginia State after working five innings to start the game. The Trojans' bullpen closed out the contest as Virginia State secured the high-scoring victory.