ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Claflin scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on an inside-the-park homer in the first game and held off a Benedict rally in the second game to sweep a doubleheader over the Tigers in a SIAC baseball doubleheader on Saturday.

Claflin remains in first place in the SIAC East race at 10-1, while Benedict falls to 5-4 in the SIAC and 12-14 overall.

Benedict tied the first game at 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning. Shomarii Thomas tripled down the left field line and scored on a fielder's choice groundout by Andre Collum.

After two walks in the sixth inning, Claflin's Rashad Bivens hit an inside-the-park home run to make it 4-1. Benedict cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the seventh when Lashante Grimes opened with a double and Andrew McCoy singled him home. The Tigers had the bases loaded with one out, but hit into a double play to end the game.

Benedict scored the first run in the second game. Kevin Davis led off with a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a bunt by Rodney Beach. He came home on a groundout by Thomas. The Panthers took the lead in the third inning with three runs. A RBI by Gavin Murphy in the fourth inning cut the lead to 3-2. Claflin pushed the lead to 5-2 with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Benedict added a run in the fifth when Davis tripled and came home on a groundout by Beach. Claflin made it 6-3 with a run in the fifth. The Tigers cut the lead to 6-4 with a run in the sixth when Skyler Sabado stole home on a double steal. John Holleran led off the seventh with a triple, but the Tigers were unable to bring him home.

Benedict and Claflin play the third game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.