IRONDALE, Ala. – Southern held off a late charge by Mississippi Valley State to prevail 5-4 in opening round action during the 2016 SWAC Softball Tournament.

Southern (13-18, 9-9 SWAC) initially jumped ahead in the second inning thanks to a Ryann Hollis two-run double and a Shauna Knighten RBI base hit. After a Kiara Suttles RBI double made the game 5-0 Jaguars at the end of four, MVSU (13-27, 9-9 SWAC) began its rally.

Deja Talton put the Devilettes on the board with a RBI single, and Mississippi Valley added three more in the seventh when down to its final out. Ane Pahulu smacked a two-run homer and Sharia Cormier later scored Holly Brown  -- who tripled prior – with a base hit. SUBR's Tiara Scott was able to strike out Alexandra Dobbins to halt the comeback attempt and preserve the win.

Scott picked up her second win of the year, throwing 163 pitches and allowing 12 hits and fanning four.

On day two, Southern will clash with Alabama State at 2:30 p.m., while Mississippi Valley awaits Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5 p.m