Albany State sweeps Tuskegee, extends win streak to 10

TUSKEGEE, Ala. – 

The Albany State Golden Rams managed only four hits Sunday but took advantage of 16 walks and beat the Golden Tigers of Tuskegee 9-4 to sweep the three-game SIAC series. The three wins in Tuskegee improved Albany State’s overall record to 19-7 on the year and 16-2 in the SIAC. The Golden Rams have won 10 straight and are in first place in the SIAC standings.

“We found a way to win three this weekend,” said Albany State Head Coach Scott Hemmings. “We did not play as sharp as last weekend, but the guys fought hard and found a way to win. Our bullpen was huge once again! I knew this week would be tough after the intense series we had with Spring Hill. We have to keep working and keep improving and not get used to winning. 

“Each day presents a new set of challenges that we have to be ready for,” he added.

Former Terrell Academy star Luke Addison knocked in three runs without a hit. He knocked in the first with a sacrifice fly in the first, then knocked in a run on a fielder’s choice in the fourth and coaxed a walk in the ninth that scored another run.

Third baseman Austin Roberts had two of Albany State’s four hits.

Landon Kiefer started the game on the mound and took the win. He pitched four innings and gave up one run on three hits. He walked two and struck out five. Calvin Baker pitched the fifth inning, and Tyler Bullock closed the game with four innings on the mound.

In Saturday’s first game, former Lee County star Jonathan Logsdon smacked four hits — including two doubles — knocked in four runs and scored three times as the Golden Rams opened the series with a 14-3 win.

The Rams scored four times in the first inning, starting with a bunt to third from Luke Addison, who reached on an error and scored Logsdon. Bradley Smith followed with a double to right that scored Zane Ross and Addison. Austin Roberts then smacked a single to left that scored Smith and the Rams were up 4-0.

Logsdon doubled to right to score two runs in the third and then doubled to center to score two more in the fourth, giving the Golden Rams a 12-2 lead at the end of the fourth inning. The game ended in the sixth when a Bradley Smith sacrifice fly scored Logsdon and put the score at 14-3. Tuskegee couldn’t hit anything thrown by ASU reliever Andrew McBride, who struck out five Tigers in three innings.

Jeremiah Reddell took the win on the mound for ASU, pitching four innings and giving up three runs on six hits. He didn’t walk any batters and struck out two. McBride pitched the final three innings, giving up no hits, no runs and no walks and striking out five.

In game two Saturday, Brady Davis pitched a complete game, pitching seven innings and giving up two hits and two earned runs. He walked two and struck out seven.

Smith, Roberts and Nathan Saavedra all doubled. Saavedra had two of ASU’s nine hits.

The Golden Rams will play Georgia Southwestern at 6 p.m. today in Americus before traveling to Atlanta on Friday to take on Clark-Atlanta for a three-game series.

By Joe Whitfield
Sports Editor