Tigers Black College World Series Run Ends With Loss To Edward Waters

MONTGOMERY, Ala.- Savannah State University closed the books on their 2023 season following a 9-5 setback to Edward Waters University on day two of the Small School Division of the Black College World Series. The game was played at Riverwalk Park, home of the Class AA Montgomery Biscuits. The Tigers posted a 33-14 mark on the year and won over 30 games in a season for a second year in a row.
Savannah State, who was seeded No. 2 in the tournament, had beaten Edward Waters in all three of their regular season contests. Edward Waters, who was the No. 4 seed in the tournament, is the defending Black College Tournament Champions.
Both teams lost their opening games of the tournament the previous day with SSU falling to Bluefield State University 13-9 while top seeded Albany State University edged Edward Waters 3-2.
In the elimination game, EWU jumped out to a 6-0 lead after three innings of play, scoring three times in the second inning and added three more in the bottom of the third.
Savannah State had runners in scoring positions in the second and third innings but could not push anyone across home plate. In the second inning, Jacob Rushin singled to right field and advanced to second on a fielding error by the EWU right fielder but Mason McLeod lined out to the second baseman and Gabriel Patxot's bunt was fielded by the pitcher for the second and third outs. In the top of the third, Jaden Oden singled to left field and advanced to second following a single to right field by Andrai Wright but a strikeout by Champion Robbins ended a scoring threat with the third out of the inning.
The Tigers found some life in the fifth inning by scoring twice.
Jake Grubesic was hit by a pitch. The next batter was Smith who reached base due to catcher's interference which allowed Grubesic to advance to second. Oden singled through the left side of the infield which allowed Grubesic to score and a ground-out by Wright which Edward Waters turned into a double play, allowed Smith to cross home plate to cut SSU's deficit to 6-2.
Edward Waters answered in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of runs of their own to increase their advantage to 8-2.
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Grubesic doubled to left field which sent home Desmore Joseph and a triple by Smith allowed Patxot and Grubesic to score which pulled Savannah State within 8-5.
SSU's bats went silent after that because they were held to just one hit the rest of the game.
Edward Waters scored the final run of the contest in the bottom of the eighth.

Savannah State stranded nine runners on the basepads and ended the day with nine hits while making one error.
Smith had a triple, two RBI and scored a run while Oden had two hits and an RBI, Joseph had two hits and scored a run and Grubesic had one hit, one RBI and scored twice.

Enrico Peele was tagged with the loss. Peele lasted just 2.1 innings and gave up four hits, six runs and five walks. Tyler Green pitched the final 5.2 innings and surrendered six hits and three runs while recording two strikeouts.
Edward Waters led led at the plate by Anthony Roman and Erickson Matos who drove in three runs apiece. Alexander Davila hurled a complete game for EWC as he struck out ten batters.

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Players Mentioned

#2 Gabriel Patxot: SS; 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior

#8 Champion Robbins: 2B; 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior

#16 Tyler Green: OF; 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior

#18 Jake Grubesic: OF; 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior

#21 Jaden Oden: 1B/OF; 6' 0"; Junior

#33 Enrico Peele: RHP; 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior

#35 Andrai Wright: 1B; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

#2 Gabriel Patxot
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Junior
: SS

#8 Champion Robbins
: 6' 1"; Redshirt Junior
: 2B

#16 Tyler Green
: 5' 11"; Redshirt Junior
: OF

#18 Jake Grubesic
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Senior
: OF

#21 Jaden Oden
: 6' 0"; Junior
: 1B/OF

#33 Enrico Peele
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Senior
: RHP

#35 Andrai Wright
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: 1B