TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Tuskegee University baseball returns to the diamond this weekend with a pivotal three-game Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) series against Edward Waters University at Washington Field.

The series opens with a Friday doubleheader beginning at noon, followed by a Saturday finale scheduled for a 10 a.m. first pitch.

The Golden Tigers enter the weekend at 11-17 overall and 8-10 in conference play, coming off a 2-1 series win over Miles.

Meanwhile, Edward Waters arrives at 18-13 overall with an 11-7 mark in the SIAC and carries momentum after recent strong offensive performances.

ABOUT TUSKEGEE (11-17, 8-10 SIAC)
Offensively, Tuskegee has been paced by a dynamic group of hitters led by the duo of Ryan Morrow and John Saffold.

Morrow enters the weekend batting .375 with 33 hits, 28 RBIs, five doubles, and three triples, along with a team-high 16 stolen bases. Saffold has been equally consistent, hitting .352 with 19 hits, 10 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.

Together, they provide a potent combination of speed and contact at the top and middle of the lineup.

The offense also benefits from production by James Slaughter (.369 AVG, 24 hits, 25 stolen bases), Jabari Johnson (.378 AVG, .649 SLG), and Jacobi Brooks (.320 AVG, 19 RBIs).

In total, the Golden Tigers have produced 235 hits and 159 RBIs while stealing an impressive 124 bases in 151 attempts.

On the mound, Tuskegee looks to build on a promising weekend performance from its rotation.

Mikelle Mason leads the staff with five wins in nine starts and has struck out 30 batters in 41 innings pitched.
 
Richard Powell IV provides durability with 41.1 innings logged and 12 strikeouts, while reliever Isaiah Jones has been a key piece out of the bullpen with 31.1 innings, 22 strikeouts, and a 4.88 ERA.

The pitching staff holds a collective ERA of 7.75 and opponents are batting .282 against them.

Defensively, Tuskegee holds a team fielding percentage of .960, having turned 24 double plays and allowed 37 errors.

The Golden Tigers' infield defense has benefited from reliable gloves, including Nicholas Pratt and Slaughter, who have yet to commit an error this season.

The outfield and catching corps have also helped contain opposing base stealers, limiting teams to a .758 stolen base success rate.

ABOUT EDWARD WATERS (18-13, 11-7 SIAC)
Edward Waters, meanwhile, enters with a team batting average of .294, bolstered by Torry Jones (.364 AVG, 10 home runs, 43 RBIs), Misael Ramos (.333 AVG, 5 HR, 26 RBIs), and Dave Mitchum (.319 AVG, 43 runs, 33 stolen bases).

As a team, they've driven in 243 RBIs and have stolen 113 bases, showcasing a high-pressure style on the basepaths.

Edward Waters boasts a deeper and more consistent pitching corps, entering with a 6.04 team ERA.

Alexander Davila leads the staff with a 6-1 record in eight starts, posting 27 strikeouts in 41.1 innings. Anthony Bayyat (3-1, 38 IP) and Liam Prepite (3.49 ERA, 27 K) have also provided stability for the Tigers.

The Edward Waters bullpen has also seen contributions from Josh Taylor and Efrain Pantoja, both of whom have appeared in double-digit games.

The Tigers enter with a .950 fielding percentage, recording 21 double plays and 54 total errors. Catcher Raul Ramirez leads the team in controlling the running game, throwing out three runners and maintaining a perfect fielding percentage.

This weekend's series carries key implications in the SIAC standings, with Tuskegee looking to climb back to .500 in conference play and Edward Waters aiming to stay in the upper tier of the league.

With two teams known for aggressive base running, high-contact hitting, and developing pitching depth, the three-game set promises to be a competitive and pivotal moment in the stretch run of the 2025 season.

How to Follow the Golden Tigers
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