TUSKEGEE, Ala. __ Tuskegee baseball split its Saturday doubleheader against Morehouse at Washington Field, dropping a high-scoring opener 15-8 before bouncing back with a 7-5 win in game two.
The Golden Tigers tallied 21 hits on the day but were unable to contain Morehouse's offense in game one before rebounding with a strong pitching effort in the nightcap.
Game One: Morehouse 15, Tuskegee 8
Both teams put up big offensive numbers, but Morehouse's explosive innings proved too much as Tuskegee fell 15-8 in the opener. The Maroon Tigers collected 15 hits, while the Golden Tigers tallied 11.
Morehouse struck first in the opening inning when James Thorpe singled in a run. Tuskegee quickly responded in the bottom half as
Jacobi Brooks tripled down the right-field line to even the score at 1-1.
Morehouse regained the lead in the second when Elijah Pinckney's RBI single put them back in front, and a run-scoring single by Mariano McLean in the third extended the advantage to 3-1.
Tuskegee cut into the deficit in the bottom of the third as
John Saffold launched a solo home run to left field, making it 3-2. Another solo shot from
Devon Lee in the fourth tied the game at three.
The Maroon Tigers responded in the fifth with a solo home run from Robert Robinson, and they later broke the game open with a five-run eighth inning, highlighted by Pinckney's grand slam.
Julian Goodman earned the win for Morehouse, allowing six hits and two runs over five innings. Tuskegee's Richard Powell took the loss, giving up seven runs (six earned) on nine hits in four innings.
Offensively, Brooks led the Golden Tigers with three hits in four at-bats. Lee, Saffold, and
Jerald Bush each drove in two runs.
Ryan Morrow and
Jabari Johnson both recorded multiple hits, while Johnson swiped two bases. Overall, Tuskegee finished with five stolen bases in the contest.
For Morehouse, Raymond Jenkins and Thorpe led the way with three hits each, while Pinckney drove in a game-high five runs.
Robinson went deep twice and finished with three RBIs. Morehouse showed patience at the plate, drawing 11 walks, and turned two double plays in the field.
Game Two: Tuskegee 7, Morehouse 5
Tuskegee rebounded in game two, building a five-run lead by the sixth inning and holding off a late Morehouse rally for a 7-5 victory.
The Golden Tigers struck first in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by
Devon Lee. However, Morehouse took a 2-1 lead in the third after a two-run home run by Robinson. Tuskegee responded in the bottom half, as Saffold blasted a solo home run to left, tying the game at two.
Tuskegee seized control in the fourth when Lee singled down the right-field line and
Austin Evans grounded out to bring home another run, making it 4-2.
The Golden Tigers extended their lead in the fifth, as
Scott Williams belted a two-run homer to left after a lengthy six-pitch at-bat.
Morehouse made things interesting in the seventh, scoring three runs on a single, but Tuskegee's bullpen held firm to secure the win.
Morrow picked up the victory, allowing three hits and three runs over 1.1 innings, striking out two.
Noah Grayson took the loss for Morehouse after surrendering six runs on eight hits in five innings. Tuskegee starter
Amare Morgan worked five solid innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. Lee also appeared in relief for the Golden Tigers.
Lee and Williams led the Tuskegee offense, each driving in two runs. Williams finished with two hits in three at-bats.
Tuskegee remained aggressive on the bases, swiping five stolen bases, and showcased strong defense by turning three double plays.
Pinckney continued his strong day for Morehouse, going 4-for-4 at the plate. Robinson added two RBIs, while Thorpe and Vernon VeClay each recorded multiple hits. Defensively, Morehouse played a clean game, committing no errors.
With the doubleheader split, Tuskegee moves to 5-11 overall and 2-6 in SIAC play, while Morehouse sits at 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the conference. The teams will wrap up their three-game series on Sunday.
Up Next
The series will conclude on Sunday afternoon, with game three between the programs set for a 1 p.m. CT first pitch at Washington Field.
How to Follow the Golden Tigers
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