TUSKEGEE, Ala. – Tuskegee baseball powered past Miles College with a commanding 15-6 victory in the series opener on Friday at Washington Field. The Golden Tigers' offense exploded early, scoring six runs in the first inning and never looking back.

James Slaughter led the charge at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a triple and two singles, while Ryan Morrow drove in three runs to anchor the middle of the lineup. The Golden Tigers recorded 16 hits as a team, with multiple players turning in standout performances.

Tuskegee wasted no time putting pressure on Miles, with Scott Williams getting things started in the first inning with a two-run single.

Devon Lee and Jabari Johnson followed with back-to-back triples to push the lead to 5-0 before Samarion Ward capped the inning with an RBI single. The Golden Tigers added two more runs in the second, as Morrow singled down the left field line and Johnson worked a bases-loaded walk.

The offense continued to roll in the third, extending the lead to 10-0 on a bases-loaded walk by John Saffold and a sacrifice fly from Morrow.

Slaughter added a triple in the fifth, helping Tuskegee tack on another run before the team put the game out of reach with two-run innings in both the seventh and eighth.

On the mound, Richard Powell Jr. went the distance for the Golden Tigers, earning the complete-game victory.

The right-hander allowed six runs (five earned) on 13 hits while striking out two in nine innings of work. Miles struggled to slow down Tuskegee's bats, with starter Nick Copen taking the loss after surrendering six runs in the first inning.

Tuskegee showed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks, while also wreaking havoc on the basepaths with seven stolen bases. Saffold and Slaughter each swiped two bags in the win.

Miles finished with 13 hits, with Copen, Gavin Millians, Jayvionne Williams, and Brandon Leroy each collecting two. The Golden Bears had one defensive double play and did not commit an error in the game.

With the win, Tuskegee improves to 10-16 overall and 7-9 in SIAC play, while Miles drops to 15-10-1 and 10-4 in conference action.

Up Next
The rivalry series will conclude on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. at Washington Field.

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