Albany, GA – The Albany State Golden Rams battled fiercely but came up short in their three-game conference series against Savannah State, dropping all three matchups to the Tigers. With the 0-3 series loss, the Golden Rams fall to 11-10 overall and 7-5 in SIAC play, while Savannah State improves to 11-5 overall and 10-2 in the SIAC. Despite the setbacks, Albany State will look to bounce back as they prepare to host Georgia Southwestern State on Tuesday, March 11, at 5:00 PM.
 
Game 1: Albany State Falls in Extra Innings, 5-3
The series opener was a tightly contested matchup that extended into extra innings. Albany State took an early 2-0 lead, with Tyler Turner and Austin Roberts driving in runs. The Golden Rams held their advantage until the seventh inning, when Savannah State's R. Tuggle put the Tigers on the board with an RBI single. ASU responded in the bottom of the inning when Hill Corley scored on a passed ball to make it 3-1.
 
However, Savannah State rallied late, scoring two unearned runs in the eighth inning to tie the game at 3-3. The Tigers then capitalized in the 10th inning, plating two runs on an RBI single by K. Spencer and a run-scoring infield hit from B. Smith to claim a 5-3 victory.
 
Albany State starter Gercal Reyes pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out four. Andrew McBride took the loss in relief, surrendering two runs in extra innings.
 
Game 2: Golden Rams Struggle Offensively in 8-1 Loss
In Game 2, Albany State struggled to generate offense as Savannah State pitcher G. Gonzalez dominated on the mound, striking out seven batters and allowing only five hits in a complete-game effort.
 
The Tigers jumped out to an early lead, with K. Spencer's RBI triple in the first inning setting the tone. Savannah State continued to apply pressure, scoring in four different innings. B. Smith launched a solo home run in the third, and a five-run fifth inning, fueled by multiple ASU errors, put the game out of reach.
 
Albany State's lone run came in the bottom of the fifth, when Matt Delay drove in Dominic Rutigliano with an RBI single. Landon Kiefer (4-1) suffered his first loss of the season, giving up eight runs (only two earned) over 4.1 innings.
 
Game 3: Late Rally Falls Short as Albany State Drops Finale, 10-9
The series finale was a wild back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging runs in a high-scoring affair. Albany State built an early 4-2 lead after three innings, highlighted by Tyler Turner's RBI double and a sacrifice fly from Matt Delay. However, Savannah State responded with a four-run fourth inning and a three-run fifth, taking a 9-4 lead.
 
The Golden Rams refused to go down without a fight. Luke Addison crushed a solo home run in the seventh, sparking a rally. Later in the inning, Roberts delivered a clutch two-run single, bringing ASU within one run at 10-9. Despite the comeback effort, Albany State couldn't push across the tying run, as Savannah State held on for the win.
 
On the mound, Brady Davis (2-2) took the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings. Offensively, K. Spencer led the way for Savannah State, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs.
 
Up Next
Albany State will shift its focus to non-conference play as they prepare to host Georgia Southwestern State on Tuesday, March 11, at 5:00 PM. The Golden Rams will look to regroup and get back in the win column before returning to SIAC action.

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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.