ALBANY, Ga.- Hakem Smith, Addrian McNeal Jr and Kendal Spencer all hit home runs to lead Savannah State to a 19-3 win over top-seeded Albany State in the 2024 Cricket SIAC Baseball Championship Tournament on May 3, 2024 at the Albany State West Complex.

Hakem Smith hit a two-run home run in the first inning, McNeal hit a two-run homer in the fourth and Spencer hit a three-run home run in the seventh.

With the win, the fourth-seed Tigers will face Edward Waters on May 4 at 10 a.m.

The victory also gives Savannah State their third consecutive 30-win season as they improve to 30-13.


In the first inning, Spencer drew a walk, stole second and stole third. The next batter, Hunter Bradshaw drew a walk and stole second base.A single down the left field line by Chandler Hicks scored Spencer and Bradshaw and Hicks came home following Hakem Smith's home run over the left field wall for a 4-0 lead.

Albany State scored twice in the second inning to cut their deficit in half.

Savannah State added five more runs to their total in the top of the fourth.

William Mahoney IV singled to left field and came home after McNeal's home run over the left field fence. D'Sean Prinkleton singled and scored on a double down the left field line by Bradshaw. After Albany State changed pitchers, Hicks drew a walk and Hakem Smith was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Brevin Smith who hit a single that scored Bradshaw and Hicks for a 9-2 cushion.

The Rams scored a run in the bottom of the fourth but SSU responded with a pair of runs in the fifth.

McNeal hit a triple down the right field line and scored when Spencer hit a double. A single up the middle by Prinkleton allowed Spencer to score for a 11-3 lead.

The sixth inning saw Savannah State score five times off one hit.

Jacob Rushin drew a walk, Mahoney singled and McNeal was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The next four Tiger batters (Spencer, Prinkleton, Bradshaw and Hicks) all drew walks which allowed runs to score. After another pitching change, Hakem Smith was hit by a pitch which allowed a run to score to give SSU  a 16-3 advantage.

Mahoney reached base on a throwing error in the seventh and McNeal was issued a walk which brought Spencer to the plate which resulted in a three-run home run over the right field fence for the final runs of the afternoon.

Spencer had three hits and five RBI in the game while Hicks and Hakem Smith each drove in three runs. McNeal, Prinkleton, Bradshaw and Brevin Smith all had two RBI apiece.

Spencer also had three steals while Bradshaw had two.

Andrew Mann pitched a complete game, giving up nine hits, three runs and two walks while striking out four.

Edward Waters is the third seed in the tournament. During the regular season, they swept Savannah State in a three game series with scores of 10-5, 9-4 and 16-15.