COLUMBIA, SC | The Morehouse Maroon Tigers battled fiercely in a challenging three-game SIAC baseball series against the Benedict Tigers at Tiger Field in Columbia, SC, but ultimately fell short, dropping all three contests. Despite the tough outcomes, Morehouse demonstrated offensive resilience, highlighted by strong performances from key players like Raymond Jenkins and Nicholas Pittman. However, persistent struggles with defensive consistency and pitching execution proved costly, leaving the Maroon Tigers searching for answers after a difficult weekend.

GAME ONE:  BENEDICT 4, MOREHOUSE 3 (SAT)

Strong Hitting Not Enough As Morehouse Tigers Falls To Benedict Tigers

Morehouse fell 4-3 to Benedict Tigers on Saturday despite out-hitting them eight to seven. Raymond Jenkins led the Maroon Tigers with three hits.  Jenkins collected three hits in four at bats in the loss. Jenkins hit a solo home run to left field in the eighth inning, singled in the fifth inning, and singled in the first inning.

Benedict was the first to get on the board in the first when Julian Goodman induced a Tiger to hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored.

Jenkins singled to center field, which helped Morehouse tie the game at one in the top of the fifth.

Benedict took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. A grounded out led to a run scoring, to give Benedict Tigers the advantage, 2-1.  A home run to left field added two runs in the bottom of the seventh for the Benedict Tigers.

Morehouse made the score 4-3 in the top of the eighth inning when Jenkins hit a solo home run to left field, and a passed ball scored one run.

Goodman started the game for Morehouse Tigers. The starter gave up three hits and one run over five innings, striking out four and walking five. Elijah Pinckney collected two hits for Morehouse in four at bats. Morehouse turned two double plays in the game.

GAME TWO:  BENEDICT 12, MOREHOUSE 11 (SUN)

Morehouse Tigers Bats On Fire In Loss To Benedict Tigers

Bats were blistered on Sunday, but Morehouse couldn't quite get the job done against Benedict and lost 12-11. Benedict collected nine hits, while Morehouse had eight.

Morehouse fought back after falling down by four runs in the seventh inning. The comeback fell just short though. Morehouse closed the gap by scoring on a home run and a home run. Morehouse  opened the scoring in the first after TJ Whiteman hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.

A Benedict Tiger doubled to left field on a full count, which helped Benedict tie the game at one in the bottom of the first.

Morehouse captured the lead, 3-1, in the top of the third after Whiteman grounded out, and Raymond Jenkins hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run.
Benedict  tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an error, a hit by a pitch, and a single.  Benedict then jumped into the lead in the bottom of the seventh when a Tiger tripled, scoring two runs, followed by a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, and an error scored one run.

Morehouse Tigers scored two runs in the top of the eighth on a home run to left field by Lee Hodges on a full count.

Benedict scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth on a home run to center.

Nicholas Pittman homered to left field, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth for Morehouse.

Quenton Mitchell Jr took the loss for Morehouse. The hurler went one inning, giving up six runs (three earned) on four hits, striking out one and walking two. Ian Makle started the game for Morehouse Tigers. The starter surrendered three hits and three runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out five and walking three. 

Pittman led Morehouse with three runs batted in from the number seven spot in the lineup. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Jenkins, Elijah Pinckney, and Hodges each collected two hits for Morehouse. Morehouse had a strong eye at the plate, tallying seven walks for the game. Robert Robinson and Pittman led the team with two walks each. Robinson stole three bases. Morehouse s ran wild on the base paths, amassing six stolen bases for the game.

GAME THREE:  BENEDICT 21, MOREHOUSE 2 (SUN)

Morehouse Tigers Fall After Strong Showing By Benedict Tigers

The Morehouse Maroon Tigers couldn't keep up with Benedict Tigers and fell 21-2 on Sunday.

Morehouse was the first to get on the board in the first when a wild pitch scored one run.

Benedict flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the first, scoring five runs on four hits to take the lead, 5-1. The biggest blow in the inning was a double that drove in two. Benedict extended their early lead with four runs in the bottom of the second thanks to RBI singles by three individual Benedict Tigers. A single and a fielder's choice by helped Benedict extend their early lead in the third.

Benedict scored nine runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth inning. Key hits were a home run to left field, scoring two runs; a grand slam to left field; and a homer to left field, scoring three runs.

Cameron Solomon took the loss for Morehouse Tigers. The righty went one inning, giving up five runs on four hits, striking out none and walking one.

Myles Gordon led the team with one run batted in. TJ Whiteman went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead Morehouse in hits. Calvin Butts paced Morehouse with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Morehouse turned one double play in the game.

NEXT UP

Although the series sweep was disappointing, the Maroon Tigers showcased promising individual talent and offensive potential that offer reasons for optimism moving forward. The Maroon Tigers will remain in South Carolina and travel to Sumter, SC to face Morris College on Tuesday. Morehouse returns to Gresham Park on Saturday to face Albany State, for a three-game series, in SIAC competition.  For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.