COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Tuskegee University baseball team avoided a complete sweep over the weekend at Benedict College Sunday afternoon by splitting a double-header during the three-game series. As a result of the win, TU improves its record to 5-15 overall and 1-3 in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play.

In the second game of the day, TU scored four runs in the second inning on a leadoff single by Devon Shaw. Five walks and two errors later Matthew Reed, Shaw, Ronald McGhee and Jared Steele all crossed the plate. The Golden Tigers added another run in the sixth on a two-out error and a single by Dominic Johnson who drove in Ryan Green.

BC struggled against Jordyn Thomas, getting just two hits – a homer and single by Valentin – and striking out 12 heading into the seventh inning. Benedict staged a late rally in the bottom of the seventh. White led off with a double, Harper walked and Joseph Macaluso singled to load the bases. A fielder's choice by Sabado allowed one run to score, and Fate Young scored a run on a groundout to make it 5-3. A groundout ended the contest.

During game one, David White Jr. hit a grand slam and drove in five runs as the Benedict College Tigers crushed Tuskegee 21-5 in the first game of a baseball doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Tiger Field.

TU scored four runs in the second inning of the second game on just one hit and two Benedict errors and Golden Tiger pitcher Jordyn Thomas went the distance and struck out 12 as Tuskegee topped Benedict 5-3 in the second game.

In the first game, Tuskegee opened the game with a pair of runs in the first inning. The Tigers came back in the bottom of the inning to score five runs to take the lead for good. Michael Garner had a two-run single in the inning.

Tuskegee cut the lead to 5-3 on a solo home run in the second inning. Benedict added a run in the third on an RBI single by Myles Snype. Tuskegee cut the lead to 6-5 with two runs in the fourth.

The Tigers erupted for eight runs in the fourth inning. An error and a pair of walks loaded the bases and White poked a deep ball over the right field fence for a 10-5 lead. Skyler Sabado brought home two runs on a single. A catcher's interference error with the bases loaded brought home another run and Andrew McCoy drove home a run with a groundout.

Benedict added seven more runs in the fifth inning. Garner had a two-run single, two runs scored on an error, Armando Valentin had an RBI single and Christopher Harper scored two runs with a sharp hit through the right side.

Tuskegee returns to the diamond Wednesday when they host Columbus State at Paterson Field.  First pitch is set for 4 p.m.