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By Ron Seibel

ALBANY — The chance to play in a postseason tournament without having to travel is always an inviting one for collegiate sports programs.

While there is logistical work involved in hosting an event like the SIAC baseball tournament, the chance to play in front of a home crowd this week is enticing to Albany State’s players and coaches.

“It’s amazing,” Albany State pitcher Michael Reddick said Wednesday as the Golden Rams prepared for the four-day conference tournament that begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. “Nothing’s worse than an eight-hour bus ride.”

The majority of the tournament will be played at ASU’s West Campus Field, with some games Thursday and Friday taking place across town at the Paul Eames Sports Complex. Albany State’s opener is slated for 4 p.m. on Thursday at Paul Eames against Lane.

“It’s exciting,” Albany State head coach Scot Hemmings said. “(Athletics director Sherie) Gordon and our administrative team was able to bid out the tournament and get it here, and we don’t have to travel and find hotel rooms.

“There’s some other logistical things you have to do, like field clean-up and that sort of stuff. It’s not just a walk in the park, but we’re excited to be here, and we’re very appreciative to be here.”

The Golden Rams (24-16) enter the tournament as the No. 1 seed out of the Eastern Division, going 15-4 in conference play. They open against a Lane squad that went 1-19 in the SIAC, 6-36 overall.

Pitching has been a strong point for Albany State this season. The Rams have an SIAC-best 5.77 ERA, with Michael Reddick and Roman Oliu combining for a 13-1 record. Reddick’s 2.65 ERA leads the SIAC, while Oliu’s 3.58 mark is third.

Interestingly, Albany State has been keeping opposing offenses in check despite a low strikeout total. The Rams’ staff has 210 strikeouts this season, which puts the team ninth in the 12-team conference in that category.

ASU counters that low strikeout total by limiting walks issued. The Rams have allowed 154 walks this season, the best mark in the conference. They’ve also allowed just 246 runs and 205 earned runs, also conference bests, and are tied with Spring Hill for the saves lead with eight. They also have the fewest wild pitches, 25.

“Mike Reddick and Roman Oliu have had an almost perfect year,” Hemmings said. “CJ Tatum (0-1, 6.62 ERA) will be our Game 1 starter, and we’re doing that because we did that last year and he’s an experienced senior who will do a great job. Then Tyler Wilcher (4-3, 6.22) has been great.

“Probably our most valuable pitcher recently has been Tristan Rice (4-3, 4.80, four saves). He came in three straight games at Morehouse to close it out, and he pitches almost every game for us. He’s really our backend bullpen guy who we’ve been really appreciative of.”

Albany State is also getting some pop at the plate. Leadoff batter Riliani Familia tops the conference in RBI (53), is second in the conference in batting average (.421) and on-base percentage (.503) and has the No. 3 slugging percentage (.731).

Quantico Dodson-Williams, the No. 6 batter, is hitting at a .354 clip. Nic Griggs has a .313 batting average, and Tyler Morris is a point shy of the .300 mark.

“Familia has been awesome all year,” Hemmings said. “He’s led all the way from the first game of the year to today. Tyler Morris, over the last three weeks, has probably been our hottest hitter with 20-plus RBI in the last three weeks. Nic Griggs had a big, bases-clearing double and a grand slam at Paine.

“At the bottom of the order, Chasen Roulhac and Kelvin Wimbish have been very important to get us back to the top and Familia. And someone who is never talked about but has had one of the better years out here is Quantico Dodson-Williams in the six-hole. He’s an energetic guy that can bunt, he can hit for power, he can slap a single.”

The tournament begins at noon with Kentucky State facing Clark Atlanta at Paul Eames and Miles, the Western Division winner, taking on Paine at ASU West. Claflin-Tuskegee is the 4 p.m. game Thursday at ASU West.

Win or lose, Albany State’s second game in the double-elimination tournament will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday. A win Thursday puts the Rams at ASU West against the Kentucky State-Clark Atlanta winner, while a loss puts the Rams in an elimination game at Paul Eames against the Kentucky State-Clark Atlanta loser.

The championship game is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday at ASU West. Admission to all games is free.