ATLANTA, GA | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers faced off against longtime rival Clark-Atlanta University in a spirited three-game home series this past weekend, but despite a strong offensive showing overall, the Tigers dropped the first two matchups before bouncing back in dominating fashion in the series finale.

GAME ONE:  CLARK-ATLANTA 10, MOREHOUSE 4

Missed Opportunities and Defensive Woes

In Friday's series opener, Morehouse was unable to overcome several defensive miscues and timely Clark-Atlanta hitting, ultimately falling 10-4. Despite collecting 10 hits, the Tigers couldn't string together enough run-producing innings to keep pace. A costly three-run eighth inning by Clark-Atlanta sealed the game, as the Panthers took control late and never looked back.

A solo home run to right field by Robert Robinson put Morehouse on the board in the bottom of the first. Morehouse added one run in the second after James Thorpe singled to right field.

Clark-Atlanta tied the game in the top of the third thanks to a fielder's choice and a double. 

Morehouse took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Asa Waites induced Lee Hodges to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored, to give Morehouse the lead, 3-2.

Clark-Atlanta jumped into the lead in the top of the fifth with a double, scoring one run, and Quenton Mitchell Jr induced a fielder's choice, but two runs scored.

Ian Makle took the loss for Morehouse. The left-handed pitcher went four and one-third innings, giving up four runs on six hits, striking out two and walking two. Morehouse collected 10 hits in the game. TJ Whiteman led the Morehouse Maroon Tigers with three hits in four at bats. Robinson, Thorpe, Mariano McLean, and Hodges each drove in one run for Morehouse. Vernon Clay collected two hits for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers in four at bats. Morehouse turned one double play in the game.

GAME TWO:  CLARK-ATLANTA 11, MOREHOUSE 10

Furious Rally Falls Short

Saturday's nightcap was a rollercoaster. The Tigers found themselves in an early 6-1 hole but roared back with a seven-run fifth inning to briefly claim the lead. Darrien Chapman launched a three-run homer, and Elijah Pinckney added three hits and two runs scored. However, a five-run sixth by Clark-Atlanta dashed Morehouse's comeback hopes, and the Tigers ultimately fell 11-10 in a back-and-forth thriller.

Clark-Atlanta  jumped out to the lead in the top of the first inning after a sacrifice fly, followed by an error scored two runs, and another single scored an additional run.  Clark-Atlanta added one run in the second, on a ground out, making the score 5-1.
Clark-Atlanta added one run in the third after a squeeze play.

Morehouse flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fifth, scoring seven runs on six hits to take the lead, 10-6. The biggest blow in the inning was a home run to right field by Darrien Chapman that drove in three.

Clark-Atlanta flipped the game back in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on two hits to take the lead, 11-10. The biggest blow in the inning was a single that drove in two.

Julian Goodman took the loss for Morehouse. The starter went five and two-thirds innings, surrendering eight runs (five earned) on seven hits, striking out three and walking three.

Morehouse piled up 10 hits in the game. Morehouse lost despite out-hitting Clark-Atlanta 10 to eight. Elijah Pinckney led Morehouse with three hits.  Chapman and Calvin Butts each drove in three runs for Morehouse. Vernon Clay collected two hits for Morehouse in four at bats. Pinckney stole two bases. Morehouse stole four bases in the game.

GAME THREE:  MOREHOUSE 17, CLARK-ATLANTA 7

Statement Win to Close Series

On Sunday, the Maroon Tigers erupted for a statement win, routing Clark-Atlanta 17-7 in a game shortened to eight innings by mercy rule. Morehouse pounded out 16 hits, drew 10 walks, and swiped 13 bases in a relentless offensive display. Raymond Jenkins stole the show with a 4-for-5 performance that included a home run, five runs scored, and three stolen bases. Elijah Pinckney and Darrien Chapman combined for five hits, five RBIs, and four runs scored, while TJ Whiteman added two hits and a homer of his own.

Clark-Atlanta was the first to get on the board in the first a sacrifice fly.

Clark-Atlanta committed an error, which helped Morehouse tie the game at one in the bottom of the first. Morehouse took the lead in the bottom of the second. An error scored one run, to give Morehouse Tigers the leg up, 2-1.

Morehouse committed an error, which helped Clark-Atlanta tie the game at two in the top of the third.

Morehouse took the lead in the bottom of the third. James Thorpe singled, scoring one run, to give Morehouse the lead, 3-2. Morehouse Tigers scored five runs on three hits in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jenkins singled, scoring two runs, Thorpe singled, scoring one run, Vernon Clay drew a walk, scoring one run, and Victor Clay hit into a double play, but one run scored.

Clark-Atlanta scored three runs in the top of the seventh on a home run to center field following a 9-pitch at-bat.

Morehouse added four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on three hits. TJ Whiteman hit a solo home run to left field, Darrien Chapman doubled, scoring one run, Myles Gordon laid down a perfect squeeze play, scoring one run, and Elijah Pinckney lined out, scoring one run.

Two more Morehouse Tigers runs crossed the plate in the eighth inning to extend the lead to 17-7. Jenkins hit a solo home run to right field, and Clay hit the walk-off single, scoring the final run.

Cameron Solomon earned the win for Morehouse Tigers. The righty surrendered three hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out three and walking two.  Keith Minor collected the save.

Morehouse Tigers collected 16 hits in the game. Whiteman collected two hits for Morehouse Tigers in six at bats. Morehouse Tigers had patience at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. Calvin Butts and Vernon Clay led the team with two free passes each. Jenkins, Victor Clay, Chapman, Pinckney, and Vernon Clay each stole multiple bases for Morehouse Tigers. Morehouse Tigers stole 13 bases in the game.  Raymond Jenkins collected four hits in five at bats. Jenkins hit a solo home run to right field in the eighth inning, singled in the sixth inning, singled in the fifth inning, and singled in the seventh inning.

Morehouse Series Statistical Leaders:

• Elijah Pinckney: 8-for-13, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 4 SB, 3 R

• Raymond Jenkins: 5-for-13, HR, 5 R, 3 SB

• Darrien Chapman: 4-for-12, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB

• TJ Whiteman: 6-for-14, 2B, HR, 3 RBI

• Robert Robinson: HR, 2 RBI

• Team Totals: 31 runs, 36 hits, 17 stolen bases

Despite dropping the first two games, Morehouse finished the series on a high note, showcasing the offensive firepower and aggressive baserunning that define their identity. With the rivalry series in the rearview, the Maroon Maroon Tigers will set their sights on Alabama-Huntsville, who will visit Grasham Park on Wednesday to complete the nine-game home stand.  The Maroon Tigers return to SIAC action on Saturday, as the travel to Columbiz, SC to face the Benedict Tigers in a three-game series.   For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.