Albany, Ga. — The Albany State Golden Rams continued their strong stretch of play with a 6-3 non-conference victory over Middle Georgia, using timely hitting, patience at the plate, and a dominant bullpen performance to secure the win at home.

Albany State started strong, scoring two runs in the opening inning to establish an early lead. Mason Turner hit an RBI single to put the Golden Rams on the scoreboard, and Ty Grover followed with a solid at-bat that brought in another run, giving Albany State a strong advantage from the outset.

After Middle Georgia briefly took the lead in the third inning, the Golden Rams quickly responded with a strong offensive performance. Emory Stephens initiated the rally with an RBI single, and Ryan Brown added another key hit, allowing Albany State to regain the lead at 4-3. This swift comeback showcased the team's resilience and their ability to perform well in crucial moments.

At the plate, the Golden Rams showed discipline and depth throughout the lineup, drawing 11 walks and consistently applying pressure. Turner led the way with a two-hit, two-RBI performance, while Isaiah Haygood and Aiden Payne combined to reach base multiple times and create scoring opportunities at the top of the order. Luke Addison added to the offensive effort with three walks, demonstrating patience and setting the table for the lineup.

Albany State continued to add insurance late in the game, capitalizing on key opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings. The Golden Rams' ability to manufacture runs—whether through patience, situational hitting, or taking advantage of hit-by-pitches—proved to be a difference-maker.

On the mound, the Golden Rams turned in a standout performance, particularly out of the bullpen. William Pridgen was exceptional in relief, earning the win with 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out five and shutting down Middle Georgia's momentum. Riley Barker and Luke Hayes followed with strong outings to maintain control, and Dereck Foster closed the door with a clean final inning to secure his third save of the season.

The pitching staff combined to hold Middle Georgia scoreless over the final six innings, showcasing depth and composure in high-leverage situations.

Up next, the Golden Rams will hit the road for a key conference series against Morehouse College in Atlanta. The series begins Friday, April 3, and concludes Saturday with a doubleheader as Albany State looks to carry its strong play into Easter weekend.

Stay Connected
For complete coverage of ASU Athletics, follow us on social media @asugoldenrams (Instagram), @ASUGoldenRams (Twitter), ASU Rams Nation (Facebook), or visit the official home of the Golden Rams at www.asugoldenrams.com.
 
ABOUT ALBANY STATE ATHLETICS
Albany State University is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II-level intercollegiate athletic program. The university currently fields 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, with all teams competing in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), except women's soccer, which participates in the Peach Belt Conference.