Albany State walks off in 10 innings over Lynn University

ALBANY — Winning streaks don’t always unfold neatly. Sometimes they require a little chaos, a little grit — and a well-placed bunt.

On Monday afternoon at West Campus, the Albany State Golden Rams won their fourth straight game in dramatic fashion, walking off Lynn University 6-5 in 10 innings in a regional showdown that felt more like April than early-season baseball.

With the score tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 10th, Luke Addison — who had been Albany State’s most consistent bat all day — led off with a double to center. After the Lions intentionally walked Tyler Turner, Lynn made a pitching change, hoping for a reset.

Instead, Isaiah Haygood dropped down a bunt that forced chaos. The catcher fielded it cleanly but threw it away, allowing Addison to race home with the winning run as the Golden Rams poured out of the dugout.

“I was really proud of our team today,” Albany State coach Scot Hemmings said. “We had lost two other close games at West Alabama and Columbus, and we fought through some adversity and won a huge regional game.”

Addison was the offensive catalyst, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Turner and Quindon Wright added two hits apiece as Albany State scratched and clawed for runs in a game where opportunities came in waves.

The Golden Rams used seven pitchers, a reflection of both strategy and necessity. Sebastian Griffeth started and worked three innings, allowing one hit and two earned runs. Calvin Baker followed with four strong frames before William Pridgen, Luke Hayes, Chase Ledger and Derek Foster bridged the late innings.

Freshman Andrew Keown, a Miller County product, earned his first collegiate victory by shutting the door in the 10th.

“It was great to see Sebastian throw the way he did, and Baker, Ledger and Keown were clutch,” Hemmings said. “We had only given up three hits until the ninth, so once again our pitching was good.”

That pitching steadiness mattered because the offense left the door open more than once.

“Our offense sputtered with runners in scoring position and had several chances to put the game away,” Hemmings admitted. “It is still early and the pitching is still a little ahead, but I feel good after winning four in a row.”

The Golden Rams won’t have long to savor it. They return to regional play this weekend against LeMoyne-Owen College, beginning with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Sunday’s finale is set for noon.