TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Tuskegee baseball opened its three-game SIAC series against Benedict on Friday afternoon at Washington Field but was unable to overcome a mid-game surge from the visiting Tigers, falling 9-5 in a contest that featured timely hitting, fielding miscues, and critical late-inning runs.
 
Tuskegee moves to 12-26 overall and 8-17 in SIAC play, while Benedict improves to 16-10 overall and 14-10 in the conference.
 
The visiting Tigers capitalized on key moments, scoring four runs in the third inning and adding three more in the eighth to pull away in a tightly contested matchup.
 
Tuskegee matched Benedict's nine hits and played well offensively in the late innings, but defensive errors and missed opportunities with runners on base proved costly.
 
The game remained scoreless through two innings as both starting pitchers settled in.

Tuskegee's Mikelle Mason opened strong, working around a leadoff walk and a caught stealing to face the minimum in the first.
 
Benedict's Brailin Duran did the same, stranding a runner at third base after a leadoff single by Nicholas Pratt and a stolen base.
 
In the top of the third, Benedict broke the deadlock. After a walk and a single, Justin Murray opened the scoring with an RBI single to left.
 
One batter later, Carson Fellows doubled to deep center field, clearing the bases and plating three more to make it 4-0. Tuskegee was unable to respond in the bottom half, going down in order.
 
Tuskegee's first real scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth when Jabari Johnson tripled to right field and came home on an RBI single by James Slaughter, who later stole third.
 
However, Nicholas Pratt grounded out to end the inning, stranding a runner in scoring position.
 
Benedict continued to apply pressure. In the top of the fifth, Murray tripled and scored on a passed ball, and after three straight singles, Jamell Mitchell Jr. brought home another run with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 6-0.
 
Mason exited after seven innings, giving up seven runs (six earned) on eight hits while walking seven and striking out six.
 
Tuskegee's offense surged in the bottom of the seventh. Scott Williams tripled and scored on a groundout by John Saffold.
 
Then, after a walk and a double from Samarion Ward, Devon Lee delivered a clutch RBI double to right, scoring two and cutting the deficit to 6-4.
 
However, defensive struggles returned in the top of the eighth as Benedict capitalized on a pair of errors by Alex Glass at third base.
 
With the bases loaded, Jaquez Akins drove in a run with an infield single, and Fellows added a sacrifice fly to extend Benedict's lead to 9-4.
 
Tuskegee showed signs of life in the bottom of the ninth. Ward drew a walk, Slaughter followed with another, and both stole bases to advance into scoring position.
 
Terry Ware, running for Ward, scored on a sacrifice bunt by Lee to make it 9–5. But with two outs and a runner on third, Ryan Morrow lined out to short to end the game.
 
Offensively, Lee led Tuskegee with a 2-for-4 day including a double and two RBIs. Slaughter added two hits, two stolen bases, and an RBI.
 
Ward also doubled and reached base three times. Tuskegee collected nine hits and stole four bases but left seven runners on base.
 
Defensively, the Golden Tigers committed two errors, both of which led to unearned runs.
 
Meanwhile, Benedict also made two errors but was able to limit Tuskegee's scoring threats in the early innings.
 
Duran earned the win for Benedict, improving to 5-0 after striking out nine in eight innings of work.
 
Mason was tagged with the loss, falling to 5-6. Jabari Johnson pitched two innings of relief for Tuskegee, allowing two unearned runs on one hit with three walks.
 
Up Next
The series continues with a Saturday doubleheader at Washington Field, where the Golden Tigers will look to bounce back and even the series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
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. 
 
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