COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College softball team picked up its first conference win by defeating Albany State University 7-6 on Sunday in the conclusion of a game started on Saturday. Albany State won the third game 15-3 to take the series.

Benedict's win over Albany State was the first time the Lady Tigers had beaten the Lady Golden Rams in five years. Benedict's last win over Albany State was April 7, 2011. The Lady Tigers had lost 17 games to the Lady Golden Rams since that last win.

Benedict was winning 5-4 when the game was suspended due to darkness on Saturday.  Starkeira Daniel had a three-run homer in the third inning. Torcealon Kelly had an RBI single to give Benedict a 5-1 lead. Albany State scored three runs in the top of the fifth to cut the lead to 5-4 when the game was suspended.

When they resumed the game on Sunday, the Lady Tigers got back-to-back RBI doubles by Kelsey James and Amari Lawson in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Benedict a 7-4 lead.

The Lady Rams scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning, and had runners on second and third before a ground out ended the rally.

Benedict committed six errors and Albany State scored seven runs in the fourth inning to take the next game 15-3 in five innings.

Daniel had a two-run homer in the third inning, giving her three home runs in the series.

The Lady Tigers move to 3-8 overall and 1-2 in the SIAC. Albany State moves to 4-8 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC.

Benedict will travel to Raleigh, N.C., to compete in the Shaw University Softball Challenge tournament beginning Friday.