MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Savannah State split a doubleheader with LeMoyne-Owen on Saturday, winning the first game 19-5 and losing the second contest 7-6.

The first game saw the Tigers collect 19 hits but leave 26 runners on base while LeMoyne-Owen made seven errors and stranded 22 runners on base.

Reginald Tuggle hit a two run single in the top of the first inning to give SSU the early lead. 

The Tigers loaded the bases in the second and a sacrifice fly by Johan Sandoval allowed Tyler Tucker to score and Chandler Hicks scored when Kendal Spencer lined out to the first baseman for a 4-0 advantage.

The Magicians tied the game in the bottom of the third but Savannah State answers in the fifth with five runs to go ahead 9-4.

Julian Grier hits a RBI double that sent home Hicks and Grier scored when Spencer reached base because of an error by the shortstop. Another error by the shortstop allowed Tuggle to reach base and at the same time allow Spencer and Brevin Smith to come home. A single to left field by Tucker brought home Tuggle for the last run of the inning.

The fifth inning had six Tigers to cross home plate with Tuggle hitting a two run double, Kijani Clarington hitting a two run triple and Tucker hitting a two run home run over the left field fence for a 15-4 lead.

In the top of the sixth, William Mahoney IV hit a RBI double while Clarington and Sandoval both hit RBI singles. Grier was able to reach base on an error which allowed Clarington to score a run to increase the lead to 19-4.

The Magicians had the bases loaded in the seventh and was able to score when a batter was issued a walk which allowed a run to score.

Sandoval had two hits and two RBI, Spencer scored three times and Smith scored twice. Tuggle had six RBI, four hits and three runs while Mahoney had three hits. Clarington added three RBI, two hits and two runs, Tucker had three hits, three runs and three RBI, Hicks had three hits and two runs and Grier chipped in two hits and two runs.

Brayden Thomas was the winning pitcher with seven strikeouts. He gave up just one earned run but issued six walks.

The second game was the first time LeMoyne-Owen beat the Tigers. Dating back to 1995, Savannah State had defeated the Magicians in all 19 meetings.

In the first inning, RBI singles by Spencer and Addrian McNeal Jr put SSU in front 2-0.

The Magicians scored a run in the fourth but Savannah State added two more runs in the top of the fifth when Hicks hit a solo home run and Sandoval, who drew a walk, scored on an error by the catcher.

LeMoyne-Owen added another run in the bottom of the fifth to cut SSU's lead to 4-2.

A RBI single by Bryce Bause gave the Tigers a 5-2 advantage in the top of the sixth but LeMoyne-Owen struck back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning to go ahead 6-5.

Spencer hit a RBI single to tie the game at 6-6 in the top of the seventh. The Magicians loaded the bases in their turn at bat and scored the winning run on an error by the Tigers second baseman.

The Tigers had 11 hits in the game but made three errors and left nine runners on base. The Magicians left 13 on base while making six errors and only getting six hits.

Solomon Masters was tagged with the loss. In his 1.1 inning, Masters gave up one run and four walks while recording two strikeouts. Gregorio Gonzalez had seven strikeouts in 5.1 innings as the starter while giving up four earned runs.

Spencer had three hits, Hicks had two hits and Tuggle added two hits and two runs.

Savannah State (22-10, 19-7 SIAC) will wrap up their series with the Magicians on Sunday at 11 a.m.

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