Albany State picked up a doubleheader victory Saturday hosting the NCAA Division II No. 8 ranked University of Tampa, winning game one 12-4, while out dueling the Spartans 3-0 on a two-hit performance by Albany State starter Michael Reddick.
Albany State finished game one with 9 hits, the offensive leadership coming from five teammates. Theodore Smith was 2 for 5 with one run batted in, Chasen Roulhac was 2 for 3, Quadtico Dodson was 1 for 3 and one run batted in and Kelvin Wimbish finished with 1 for 3 with one run batted in. Tyler Morris and Johnathan Cirullo picked up one hit apiece.
The Golden Rams plated the game’s first run in the bottom of the first inning. Quadtico Dobson struck out, then reached first on a passed ball. Next batter Kelvin Wimbish singled to right field, Dodson advanced to third and scored when Familia reached first base on a fielder’s choice. Familia stole second and Dodson scored for a 1-0 lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Albany would add more runs. Roulhac singled up the middle, Dodson singled to left center, Roulhac advanced to third. Wimbish reached on a fielder’s choice, Dodson advanced to second, but Roulhac was thrown out at home. Wimbish then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Familia’s sacrifice fly plated Wimbish for a 3-0 lead.
The Rams used the long ball to take a 9-0 lead after three innings. The big blow came from Familia who launched a grand slam to left-center, giving ASU a commanding lead.
Albany State would add three more runs coming in bottom of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Tampa would score runs picking up one run in the fourth inning, one in the eighth and two in the top of the ninth inning.
Both starter Roman Oliu and reliever Tristan Rice kept Tampa off the scoreboard for much of the game. During Oliu’s first four innings he allowed five hits, 1 run, 1 earned run, 2 walked batters while striking out 2. Rice in relief, threw 4.2 innings, giving up 4 hits, 3 earned runs while striking out 5 batters. Oliu got the win (3-0) for the season.
In game two, Albany state won a pitching duel. Michael Reddick kept Tampa off-balance at the plate mixing his pitches as he had a no hitter going into the sixth inning until Tampa’s Stephen Smith broke up Reddick’s chance for the record books.
Albany State got on the board scoring two runs in the second inning, added another on Familia’s second home run of the day which led to the 3-0 win for the Golden Rams. Trey McMillan, in one inning out of the bullpen issued one walk. Reddick improved to 2-1 for the season.