Albany State baseball sweeps Morehouse; Golden Rams smash six home runs

ALBANY — The ball was jumping this weekend at Albany State West as the Golden Rams slammed six home runs and a total of 36 hits in three games as the team swept three games from visiting Morehouse College. The wins improve the Golden Rams’ season record to 25-8 overall and 22-2 in the SIAC.

Luke Addison hit two home runs Friday night in game one. Nathan Saavedra hit two home runs in Saturday’s first game, and  Jonathan Logsdon and Bradley Smith belted one each in the third game.

“I was really happy with the way we played,” said Albany State head coach Scott Hemmings. “I thought we missed too many opportunities in game on Saturday to put them away, but I was proud of the way we fought to win. All three starters were outstanding this weekend and Gavin McBride was unbelievable out of the pen. We continue to get better each week and I hope we keep progressing as we head into tournament season. I really like the make up of this team and Jonathan Logsdon is doing a great job of leading us in every area. I can’t wait to see how we finish up!”

The Golden Rams finished with the sweep with a 19-5 rout in game three where they sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning and 11 of those batters came home to score. The Golden Rams scored the first run without a hit as Jonathan Logsdon walked, Luke Addison walked, Bradley Smith walked and then Hill Corley walked and recorded the RBI.

And then the Rams started swinging. Three straight singles from Austin Roberts, Nathan Saavedra and Emory Stephens all kept the rally going. Logsdon walked again, Zane Ross singled and Addison singled before Smith belted a three-run homer over the center field fence to put the score at 11-0. 

In the second inning, Logsdon smashed a three-run home run and the Golden Rams led 14-0.

Landon Kierfer (6-1) took the win on the mound for the Golden Rams. He pitched four innings and allowed one run on one hit. He did not walk any batters and struck out five. Four other pitchers worked in relief.

In Saturday’s first game, Zane Ross broke a 5-5 tie in the bottom of the ninth with a two-out single to left that scored Xander Little. Nathan Saavedra, a junior from South Lyon, Michigan, had the big bat with two home runs in the game.

Jeremiah Reddell started the game on the mound and pitched five innings. He gave up three runs on three hits. Calvin Baker followed on the mound, giving up two runs on three hits in one inning of work. Gavin McBride pitched the final three innings and earned the win. McBride did not give up any hits, runs or walks and struck out six batters.

The Golden Rams began the series Friday night with a 16-6 win.

After Morehouse got a 1-0 lead in the second inning, Luke Addison smashed a two-run homer over the left field fence in the third inning and then belted a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Addison picked up seven RBI in all during game one.

The Golden Rams put together 11 hits, including two from Hill Corley, Emory Stephens and Austin Roberts to go with Addison’s three.

Brady Davis took the win on the mound after pitching five innings and giving up one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out five.

The Golden Rams will be back on the field Wednesday at home against Georgia College for a non-SIAC game, then host SIAC foe Benedict College for a three-game series. Wednesday’s game starts at 4 p.m. and Saturday’s double header begins at 1 p.m.

JoeWhitfield[email protected]
By Joe Whitfield
Sports EditorJoeWhitfield[email protected]