COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Lady Tigers erupted for six runs in the sixth inning to rally for an 8-4 victory over Fort Valley State University in the second game of a college softball doubleheader to salvage a split on Saturday.

Fort Valley rallied to take an 8-7 victory in the first game.

Fort Valley broke away from a 2-2 tie in the second game with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning, thanks in large part to three Benedict errors. Benedict stormed back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring six runs on just three hits and taking advantage of three Lady Wildcat errors.

Olivia Oxford led off with a walk and Ruth Ann Simms was safe and advanced to second on a throwing error. Kelsey Green, pinch-running for Oxford, was safe at the plate on a fielder's choice by Jasmine Sledge. LaTayvia Mack, pinch-running for Simms, scored on a dropped third strike by FVSU catcher Jessica Buchanan to tie the game at 4. A single by Melissa Weeks to left field brought home Sledge to give Benedict the lead. Cecelia Lykes hit a two-run double to center field and Victoria Bratton hit a triple to left field to score Lykes. Bratton scored on an error to make it 8-4.

LaKeeya Ramsey picked up the win to improve to 18-14. She went the complete game and gave up five hits.

In the first game, Fort Valley scored four runs in the sixth inning to rally from a 6-3 deficit. A pair of Benedict errors helped load the bases for the Lady Wildcats, and Benedict pitcher Melissa Weeks walked in two runs. An RBI single by Buchanan, the only hit of the inning, brought home another run, and a sacrifice fly scored the final run.

Fort Valley added another run in the seventh. Benedict scored a two-out run in the seventh when Lykes singled and came home on a double by Victoria Bratton and a FVSU throwing error.

Jasmine Sledge had three RBIs in the game, hitting a run-scoring triple in the second and a two-run double in the third. Weeks had a two-run double in the fourth, to give the Lady Tigers a 6-3 lead.

Benedict is now 21-16 overall and 14-8 in the SIAC. Fort Valley State is now 11-24 overall and 9-13 in the SIAC.

Benedict plays Paine on Wednesday at King Park at 3 p.m.