Diamond Tigers secure SIAC berth with 7-4 win over Paine
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (goldentigersports.com) — With their backs against the wall and a spot on the line for the SIAC Baseball Championships, the Tuskegee University baseball team turned to a trio of seniors on the mound to defeat Paine College 7-4 in a Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) game at Paterson Field Sunday afternoon.
Tuskegee (11-27, 7-13 SIAC) turned to Christopher Emerson for the second time this week in a must-win situation, and the senior delivered. Emerson (2-4) won for the second time this week, working three innings against Paine and giving up four runs – only one earned – while scattering 10 hits.
Emerson gave way to Stanley Smith, who worked two innings of scoreless relief – including a bases loaded jam – and to fellow senior John Bryant who earned the save with two innings of hitless relief.
Tuskegee tacked five runs on the board in third inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead. The inning was highlighted by a pair of RBI singles and a bases-loaded walk that stretched the lead to five.
After struggling from the field for most of the day, the Golden Tigers turned to it when needed and ended the game with a groundball double play started by Elgin Woodside. The freshman fielded the ground, tossed to Mark Kennedy who finished it off to Ricky Green – sending Tuskegee to the SIAC Baseball Championships next week in Ozark.
Evan Kearse led the way for Tuskegee with a pair of hits in the win.
In the opener, Tuskegee fell 6-2 after Jordyn Thomas (2-3) took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. A leadoff double by Fentress Henderson led to Thomas give way to Joseph Mauldin, and Paine collecting six runs in the top half of the inning
However, Tuskegee battled back in the bottom half of the inning. After scoring two runs, the Golden Tigers had the bases loaded with one out but were unable to push the tying run across.
Jalen Luter went 2-for-4 at the plate for Tuskegee, picking up two of the four hits allowed by Paine.
The Golden Tigers will await the bracket to be released by the SIAC office this week which will give the time and opponent for next week’s opening round game at the SIAC Baseball Championships.
