Albany, GA – The Albany State Lady Golden Rams and the Benedict College Lady Tigers faced off in a competitive doubleheader on Saturday, with each team earning one victory. Benedict won Game 1 in a thrilling 1-0 match, but the Lady Golden Rams rebounded strongly in Game 2, achieving a dominant 10-0 shutout. The series will now be decided in Game 3 on Sunday, March 2, at 1 PM at the West Campus Softball Field..

Game 1: Benedict 1, Albany State 0
The opening game of the series was a defensive showdown, with both pitching staffs delivering stellar performances. Benedict's Savanna Marshall (4-1) threw a no-hitter, keeping the Lady Golden Rams' bats silent.

The only run of the game came in the third inning when Megan Blanks drove in Heaven Strickland, giving Benedict a 1-0 lead that held until the final out.

Despite the loss, Albany State pitcher Romona McLeod (1-2) was excellent in the circle, allowing just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in a complete-game effort.

Game 2: Albany State 10, Benedict 0 (5 Innings)
The Lady Golden Rams came roaring back in the second game, delivering a dominant 10-0 run-rule victory behind an explosive offensive performance and a no-hitter from Kaliyah Smith Barnes (3-3).

Ty'Janae Brown ignited the offense with a three-run home run in the second inning, putting ASU up 3-0 early. The Lady Golden Rams kept the pressure on, scoring seven runs in the fourth inning, including RBI singles from Madison Hurt, Kady Ayers, and Amari Mapps, as well as a two-RBI single from Avery Fisher.

On the mound, Smith Barnes was lights out, throwing a five-inning no-hitter with eight strikeouts, allowing only one baserunner via a hit-by-pitch.

Up Next: Game 3 – The Decisive Matchup
With the series now tied 1-1, both teams will take the field on Sunday, March 2, at 1 PM for the decisive Game 3. The Lady Golden Rams will look to carry their Game 2 momentum into the series finale as they aim to clinch their first SIAC series victory of the season.

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ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently field teams in 11 sports: women's volleyball, women's tennis, women's cross country, men's and women's basketball, softball, men's and women's track and field, women's soccer, baseball, and football. All teams compete in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.