HARDEEVILLE, S.C.- Savannah State University dropped a non-conference doubleheader to regional rival University of South Carolina Beaufort on Wednesday afternoon at Richard Gray Sports Complex.

The Sand Sharks won the opener 13-4 and completed the sweep with a 9-8 victory in the second contest.

Savannah State found themselves trailing 3-0 in the top of the second inning in the first game but answered with three runs to tie the score.

Jayla Alexander led off the inning with a single to left field and stole second. Ariana Battle followed with a single which allowed Alexander to move to third base. On a double steal, Alexander stole home and Battle stole second base. Battle made her way to third when Neveah Ford reached base on an error by the third baseman and a bunt by Donnea Allen paved the way for Battle to score and Ford to reach second base. Two batters later, a groundout by Milani Dunning allowed Ford to come home to knot the game at 3-3.

The tie did not last long with USCB scoring eight times in the bottom of the second inning to go back in front 11-3.

A solo home run by Ambria Guye over the right center field fence made the score 11-4 but the Sand Sharks scored twice in the bottom of the fifth for the final runs of the game.

Allen was tagged with the loss, giving up 11 hits and eight runs in her four innings of work. She also struck out four batters. Madison Starling-Martin pitched two innings in relief and surrendered two hits and two runs.

In the second game, SSU sent four runners across home plate in the first inning.

Kaitlyn Williams hit a single and a double down the left field line by Jayla Givens put runners in scoring position for Guye who drew a walk to load the bases. Alexander lined out to centerfield but it allowed Williams to score. A single to left field by Battle brought home Givens for the second run and a walk to Ford loaded the bases for Phaedra Smith who reached base on a fielder's choice but Guye was thrown out at the plate. A single up the middle by Starling-Martin allowed Battle and Ford to score for a 4-0 lead.

The Sand Sharks answered with four runs in the bottom of the first and then added two runs in the second and another in the third for a 7-4 advantage.

The score remained the same until the bottom of the sixth when USCB scored two more runs to increase the Savannah State deficit to 9-4.

SSU made things close in the top of the seventh, rallying to score four times but could get no closer as they lost by on run.

Guye and Alexander hit back-to-back singles and a single to right field by Battle brought home Dunning, who was pinch running for Guye. A single to left field by Ford scored Alexander and a single up the middle by Smith sent home Ford. Starling-Martin struck out and Shamyia Raines popped up for the second out before a single to left field by Williams sent Smith to second base with the game tying run but Givens hit a fly ball to centerfield for the final out of the game.

Williams ended the game going 4-for-5 at the plate while Battle finished with two hits, two runs and two RBI , Starling-Martin had two hits and two RBI, Alexander had two hits and Ford scored twice. 

Battle pitched six innings and struck out one.

Savannah State  left nine runners on base while USCB stranded eight runners.

The Lady Tigers (15-11) will return to SIAC play against in-state rival Fort Valley State with a three-game series at the SSU Softball Field on March 20-21. The teams will play a single game on Friday at 5 p.m. and a doubleheader on Saturday, with the first pitch being at 1 p.m.

Stay Connected
For complete coverage of Savannah State University Athletics, follow the Tigers on social media @SavStateTigers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Formerly Known As Twitter), or visit the official online home of SSU Athletics at http://ssuathletics.com.