TUSKEGEE, Ala. – The Golden Tiger baseball team is set to begin Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play this weekend with a three-game road series against Albany State at Golden Rams Field.
 
The series opens on Friday at 5:00 p.m. ET, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12:00 noon ET.
 
Tuskegee enters the weekend with a 3-4 overall record, having shown flashes of promise in early non-conference action. Meanwhile, Albany State comes in at 3-3, having split their first six games. This marks a key early-season showdown between two teams looking to establish themselves as contenders in the SIAC race.
 
ABOUT TUSKEGEE (3-4)
Tuskegee has demonstrated a balanced approach through the first seven games of the season. The Golden Tigers are hitting .250 as a team, with 34 runs scored on 50 hits, including four doubles, two triples, and three home runs.
 
Helping lead the offensive effort is Evan Jones, who has been Tuskegee's most consistent hitter, posting a .364 batting average with two home runs, seven RBIs, and a .909 slugging percentage in five games.
 
Rodney Mudd II is also off to a strong start, hitting .333 with a .533 slugging percentage, while Ryan Morrow has provided power with six hits, two doubles, and a .364 slugging percentage.
 
The Golden Tigers' aggressive baserunning has been an asset, as they've stolen 20 bases on 29 attempts, led by Morrow, John Saffold, and James Slaughter, who have each swiped three bags.
 
On the mound, Tuskegee's pitching staff has logged a 5.91 ERA across 53.1 innings, with opponents batting .263 against them.
 
Isaiah Jones has been a key arm out of the bullpen, leading the team with a 1.13 ERA in 8.0 innings pitched, allowing just four hits and one earned run.
 
Amare Morgan (2.00 ERA in 9.0 IP) and Jaylen Hill (2.25 ERA in 4.0 IP) have also provided stability on the mound.
 
ABOUT ALBANY STATE (3-3)
The Golden Rams have had a strong offensive start, batting .268 as a team with 47 runs and 56 hits in six games.
 
Their lineup is led by Luke Addison, who has been on fire, hitting .400 with two home runs, nine RBIs, and a .720 slugging percentage.
 
Hill Corley has matched Addison's batting average (.400) while tallying 10 hits and a .545 on-base percentage, and Matt Delay (.333, 9 hits, 3 doubles, 7 RBIs) has provided additional production.
 
Albany State has relied on patience at the plate, drawing 43 walks, significantly more than their opponents (27). However, their stolen base efficiency has been a weakness, as they've stolen just two bases in three attempts compared to their opponents' 7-for-14 success rate.
 
On the pitching side, the Golden Rams' staff has struggled with consistency, posting a 7.76 team ERA across 51.0 innings.
 
However, Landon Kiefer (1.80 ERA, 10.0 IP, 16 strikeouts) and Calvin Baker (1.29 ERA, 7.0 IP, 4 strikeouts) have been bright spots. The rest of the staff has had difficulty limiting runs, with opponents hitting .325 against them.
 
This series serves as the SIAC opener for both teams, making it an important measuring stick as the conference slate begins.
 
Tuskegee is looking to improve its road record (1-3) and build momentum early in SIAC play, while Albany State wants to take advantage of its home field after going 1-2 at home so far.
 
How to Follow the Golden Tigers
For complete information on Tuskegee Golden Tigers Baseball, visit GoldenTigerSports.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.