HOUSTON (Interstat) — In a season defined by struggles, the Alcorn State Braves found an unlikely formula for victory Saturday: a dominant relief performance and a relentless offensive finish.

The Braves snapped a six-game losing streak and improved their record to 3-27 with a 10-6 win over the Texas Southern Tigers in the first game of a doubleheader at M.O. Campbell Center. The Tigers fell to 14-12.

The most important part of the game arrived in the bottom of the third inning, with Alcorn State clinging to a 10-5 lead that was rapidly evaporating. Starter Devin Kriley had lost all command, walking four batters and allowing five runs, only two of which were earned due to a critical error. With the bases loaded, two runs already in, and only one out, manager Bretton Richardson summoned Jose Cherena from the bullpen.

Cherena entered a high-leverage nightmare but provided immediate calm. He induced a run-scoring walk to the first batter he faced, which was charged to Kriley, then allowed another RBI walk before finally ending the marathon inning by striking out Zachari Pace. More importantly, he extinguished the rally and began a stretch of near-perfect relief.

The right-hander proceeded to throw 4 1/3 hitless innings, allowing just one unearned run while striking out one. His effort stabilized the game completely after the Tigers had sent 12 men to the plate and scored five times in the third to cut a once-formidable deficit in half.

Cherena’s performance was a stark reversal from his recent outings, where he had allowed six earned runs over five innings in his last two appearances.

Alcorn State’s offense, which managed nine hits, provided ample support early and late. The Braves sent 14 batters to the plate in a decisive top of the eighth inning, scoring five runs to break open what had become a 10-6 game. Keaten Hawk delivered the key blow, a two-run single to center field off reliever Demarques Thompson. Hawk finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Kanious Davis added an RBI double.

Texas Southern’s offense was quiet outside of the third inning, mustering only five hits. Jonathan Trejo provided a bright spot with a solo home run in the sixth. Starter Joshua Prieto took the loss despite a strong outing, striking out six and allowing just one hit and one earned run over 4 1/3 innings.

The Braves’ bullpen combination of Cherena and Jacob Wingard was overpowering. After Cherena’s long stint, Wingard closed the final two innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced without allowing a hit.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the doubleheader later Saturday.