May 4, 2025 | Luther Williams Field
Albany State Charges Into Title Game; Spring Hill Wins Twice to Stay Alive
MACON, Ga. | The road to the SIAC Championship ran through Albany State on Saturday, but it was Spring Hill that made the most noise in the elimination bracket. On a dramatic Day Three of tournament action at Luther Williams Field, the field narrowed to three: Albany State, Savannah State, and a resurgent Spring Hill.
Game 9: #1 Spring Hill 11, #6 Benedict 4
Recap:
Benedict struck early with three runs in the top of the first, capitalizing on two Spring Hill errors and a 2-RBI single by Jose Gil. But the Badgers regrouped and methodically chipped away, tying the game by the fourth before exploding for six runs in the sixth to seize control.
The sixth-inning barrage was powered by Brandon Anderson, who launched a two-run home run and later capped the inning with a two-RBI single. Anderson finished with a tournament-best 5 RBIs on the day. J. Bell added a two-run single, and J. Webb and E. Benoit chipped in with RBIs of their own.
Pitching:
Starter C. Symmons allowed three unearned runs in five innings for the win, while J. Cook worked four innings of relief for the save.
Key Stats:
- Anderson: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 5 RBIs, SB
- Bell: 1-for-5, 3 RBIs, SB
- Spring Hill scored 11 runs on 8 hits and 9 walks
Game 10: #2 Edward Waters 9, #5 Miles 2
Recap:
What started as a pitchers’ duel broke wide open late. Edward Waters turned a 3–0 lead into a blowout with a six-run seventh inning, fueled entirely by Miles’ defensive errors. Four unearned runs scored as the Golden Bears committed two infield miscues and allowed two passed balls.
Misael Ramos doubled twice and drove in two runs, while Dave Mitchum scored three times despite going hitless. Torry Jones homered early and Chase Morris added three hits, including a double.
Miles had few offensive highlights. Their only runs came on RBI singles by Jordan Pears and Auston Brewe in the eighth.
Pitching:
Liam Prepeti went 7.1 innings, allowing just two earned runs with 5 strikeouts and 3 walks.
Key Stats:
- Ramos: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBIs
- Morris: 3-for-4, 2B
- Edward Waters: 9 runs (5 unearned), 8 hits
- Miles committed 3 errors and left 6 runners stranded
Game 11: #4 Albany State 23, #3 Savannah State 8
Recap:
In one of the most lopsided games in tournament history, Albany State erupted for 23 runs on 17 hits and 12 walks to punch its ticket to the SIAC Championship Game. The Golden Rams scored in six of seven innings, including a seven-run third and a five-run sixth.
Emory Stephens was electric, going 3-for-5 with 7 RBIs, including a bases-loaded double and a sacrifice fly. Luke Addison blasted a two-run homer and added a double, and Tyler Turner went 4-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a walk. Every Albany starter scored at least once.
Savannah State briefly rallied with a five-run fifth, including home runs by K. Spencer and T. Tucker, but it was far too little to overcome the Rams’ relentless offense.
Pitching:
Andrew McBride earned the win, throwing four innings and allowing 3 earned runs. Three ASU pitchers combined to scatter 11 hits.
Key Stats:
- Stephens: 3-for-5, 2B, 7 RBIs, HBP, SF
- Addison: 2-for-6, HR, 2B, 4 RBIs
- Turner: 4-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, 4 R
- Albany State: 23 runs, 17 hits, 12 walks, 5 HBP
- Savannah State: 8 runs, 11 hits, 2 HRs
Game 12: #1 Spring Hill 9, #2 Edward Waters 0
Recap:
Spring Hill secured its second win of the day in dominant fashion, blanking Edward Waters behind a complete-game shutout from M. Justin, who scattered seven hits and struck out two without issuing a walk.
The Badgers pulled ahead with two unearned runs in the fifth, then built the lead with a two-run sixth and capped it with a four-run eighth. Edward Waters committed three errors and allowed four unearned runs.
Offensively, J. Taylor went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, J. Bell had two hits and an RBI double, and N. Hunter added a two-run double. Spring Hill stole four bases and turned two double plays in the field.
Key Stats:
- Justin (W): 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 K
- Taylor: 3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBIs
- Bell: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI
- Hunter: 2B, BB, 3 RBIs
- Spring Hill: 9 runs, 12 hits, 0 errors
2025 SIAC Baseball Tournament – Statistical Leaders (Through Day 3)
Here are the top statistical performers across the SIAC Tournament after three full days of action at Luther Williams Field:
Batting Leaders
(Stats through May 3; minimum 3 games played)
| Player | Team | AVG | H | HR | RBI | R | OBP | SLG |
| Emory Stephens | Albany State | .545 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 7 | .688 | .727 |
| Brandon Anderson | Spring Hill | .462 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 4 | .533 | .769 |
| Luke Addison | Albany State | .429 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 4 | .500 | .714 |
| Tyler Turner | Albany State | .667 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 5 | .750 | .833 |
| Misael Ramos | Edward Waters | .333 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 3 | .333 | .600 |
| Chase Morris | Edward Waters | .538 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .538 | .615 |
Pitching Leaders
| Pitcher | Team | IP | ERA | SO | W-L | WHIP |
| M. Justin | Spring Hill | 9.0 | 0.00 | 2 | 1-0 | 0.78 |
| Liam Prepeti | Edward Waters | 7.1 | 2.45 | 5 | 1-0 | 1.09 |
| Gercal Reyes | Albany State | 9.0 | 1.00 | 15 | 1-0 | 0.67 |
| Andrew McBride | Albany State | 4.0 | 3.00 | 2 | 1-0 | 1.50 |
| C. Symmons | Spring Hill | 5.0 | 0.00 | 3 | 1-0 | 0.80 |
Sunday Schedule – May 4 at Luther Williams Field:
- 1:00 PM – Elimination Final
#1 Spring Hill (3–1) vs. #3 Savannah State (2–1) - 5:00 PM – Championship Game
#4 Albany State (3–0) vs. Winner of Spring Hill/Savannah State
Sunday Tournament Preview – May 4, 2025
1:00 PM – Elimination Final:
#1 Spring Hill (3-1) vs. #3 Savannah State (2-1)
What’s at stake:
A trip to the championship game is on the line. Spring Hill is fresh off a shutout win over Edward Waters, while Savannah State is looking to bounce back after a lopsided loss to Albany State. Savannah State won the season series, 2-1, in February. Winner advances to the championship.
Keys to Victory:
- Spring Hill: Pitching depth has carried the Badgers. Offensively, Brandon Anderson and N. Hunter must continue to set the tone at the top of the order. SHC will need early runs to offset SSU’s speed and power.
- Savannah State: The Tigers will look to rebound behind the red-hot bats of R. Tuggle and K. Spencer, both of whom have homered in the tournament. Run prevention is key—SSU has allowed 20+ runs in its most recent contest.
5:00 PM – Championship Game:
#4 Albany State (3-0) vs. Winner of SHC/SSU
Key Storyline:
The Golden Rams are undefeated and rested, boasting the tournament’s most explosive offense (23 runs in Game 11). If they lose, a winner-take-all “if necessary” game will be played Monday at 1:00 PM.
Players to Watch:
- Albany State: Emory Stephens (10 RBI), Luke Addison (6 RBI, HR), Tyler Turner (.667 AVG)
- Spring Hill/Savannah State: Must manage pitching carefully with a potential doubleheader looming. Savannah State swept the season series, in March, versus Albany State, but Albany State blew out the Tigers in the tournament. Albany State and Spring Hill played the final series of the regular season, with the Badgers winning the final two games. Albany State defeated Spring Hill Friday, 8-5, in the SIAC Baseball Tournament.
A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. Previously Drew has served as an independent consultant in athletic communications, having worked events such as The Celebration Bowl, MEAC-SWAC Challenge, Black College World Series, SWAC Championship Game, multiple SIAC championship events, and Gulf South Conference events, in addition to regular season sports and events at every NCAA and NAIA level. Drew has also completed athletic communications consulting work for institutions on NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Drew was previously the SIAC contributor to D2Football.com.
Drew does work for the Black College Sports Network, where he has worked as a producer, director, and on-air talent. Drew has provided either play-by-play or color analysis for the Orange-Blossom Classic, the Black College World Series, the GCAC (now HBCUAC) basketball tournament, SIAC Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Volleyball Championships, and regular season games for football, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Drew regularly hosts a podcast, the BCSN SportsWrap with Bryan and A.D., most Sundays on the BCSN.
Drew currently is a board member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association. Drew is a member of the College Sports Communicators. In the past, Drew has served as the Director of Administration for the Black College World Series (2022) and as the Director of Athletic Communications at Thomas University.