Baseball Championship Day 1 Recaps Harry

Baseball Championship Day 1 Recaps
Harry "Trae" Stinson III 04/30/09

Day one of the SIAC Baseball Championship concluded with total domination by the Eastern division and the development of a new rivalry, Claflin vs. Albany State. Claflin made a strong statement in their first SIAC tournament by dominating Miles 9-3 and taking the hometown team of Albany State to the brink in a close 6-5 loss. Day two will begin tomorrow, Friday May 1, at 10:00 am in Albany, GA at Paul Eames Sports Complex.

Game #1
Albany State vs. Lane
The game was forfeited to Albany State.

Game #2
Claflin 9 Miles 3

The #3 seed in the East, Claflin defeated the #2 seed in the West, Miles, 9-3 in a game that was broken open by big bats in the 4th inning. Claflin made a very strong first impression in their first SIAC tournament by scoring six runs in the 4th to take a 8-3 lead over the Golden Bears. #7, Chauncey Davis led Claflin’s onslaught as he had two hits, two RBI’s, 2 stolen bases and scored 2 runs. Shawn Polk for Claflin took the victory allowing just 3 runs on 9 hits in 9 innings of work. Claflin advances to play Albany State who advanced via a forfeit. Miles drops to the loser’s bracket and will face the loser of game #8 at 10:00 am.

Game #3
Benedict 15 Tuskegee 5

The SIAC Coach of the Year, Derrick Johnson of Benedict led the Tigers to a 15-5 victory over the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee. The game ended early as BC dominated in the late innings, jumping up by 10 points, allowing the mercy rule to come into effect. Tuskegee jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning but in the bottom of the inning BC’s bats came alive with each of the 1st three batters getting on base including a lead off double by Clay Scott. Benedict would score in the 4th, 5th and 6th innings including a 5 runs in the 6th to break the game open and take a commanding lead. Luis Cotto for Benedict got the win and Reginald Hollins took the loss. Benedict advances and will face the winner of game #4 while Tuskegee will face the loser of game #4.

Game #4
Stillman 16 Morehouse 12

Stillman jumped out an early 9-0 lead entering the 4th inning but Morehouse made a valiant comeback effort but fell just short as Morehouse fell 16-12. Stillman wasted little time scoring runs as they scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 1st to take an early lead. The game seemed to be in hand but Morehouse kept the game from ending early scoring a total of 7 runs in the 7th and 8th innings. The scoring run ended with a scoreless 9th inning and Stillman taking the victory. Josh Cagle of Stillman took the victory after allowing 15 hits and 8 runs in 6.2 innings of play. Stillman advances to play Benedict while Morehouse will face Tuskegee in the loser’s bracket.

Game #5
Miles advances to play the loser of game #8 after a forfeit by Lane.

Game #6
Morehouse 15 Tuskegee 1

After a late rally in their previous game (MHC vs. SC), Morehouse eliminated Tuskegee from the SIAC Tournament 15-1 in early innings. After only 1 run between the two team heading into the top of the 4th, Morehouse broke the game open with a 6 run inning in the 4th. Bryan Butcher got things going when he singled to start the 4th inning. Later, Butcher advanced after Walter McGowan singled allowing Butcher to score the first of six runs. With the lead 7-1 Morehouse put the pedal to the metal and scored 5 runs to end the game in the 7th. Morehouse’s Dennis Bronson took the victory after allowing just 1 run and six hits in 7 innings of work. Morehouse advances to play the loser of Game #7, Friday morning at 10:00 am.

Game #7
Albany State 6 Claflin 5

Albany State survives against a tough seemingly new rival 6-5 over Claflin to advance to the Semi-Finals of the SIAC Tournament. Claflin got off to a good start taking a 3-1 lead heading into the 4th inning. In the 4th and 5th innings Claflin went scoreless but ASU would score 3 runs to take a 4-3 lead. ASU was sparked by Nathan Coggins who hit a solo homerun in the 4th inning with two outs. ASU would go on to score two runs in the inning keeping them in the mix for the victory. Claflin would reclaim the lead in the 6th after they scored 2 runs to tie the game at 5 a piece. In the bottom of the 8th Corey Reeves would score on a De’Marcus Price RBI to give ASU the go ahead and final run of the game. Larry Johnson was awarded the victory after allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and 4 errors. Albany State advances to face the winner of Benedict vs. Stillman at 1:00 pm while Claflin falls to the loser’s bracket and will face Morehouse College at 10:00 am.

Game #8
Benedict 6 Stillman 5

In the last game of the 1st day of the tournament, Benedict upset the #1 seed Stillman 6-2. Benedict never trailed as they scored in three of the first four innings. Stillman scored two runs in the 4th innings to pull within two points but Benedict would hold strong and will take the victory 6-5. Stillman falls to the loser’s bracket and will face their arch rival Miles at 10:00 am. Benedict will face their arch rival Albany State at 1:00 pm.