COLUMBIA, S.C. – Robert Troiano III had a three-run homer, then came in to pitch the last out with the bases loaded to earn the save as the Benedict College Tigers defeated Miles College 12-9 in the first game of a conference doubleheader on Saturday at Tiger Field.

Miles won the second game 5-4. Benedict moves to 9-5 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC. Miles moves to 9-9 overall and 1-1 in the SIAC.

Miles scored six runs in the top of the third inning for a 6-1 lead, and Benedict pushed across single runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to cut the lead to 6-3. In the fifth inning, the Tigers tied the game on a two-run double by Armando Valentin, then took the lead for good on Troiano's three-run shot to left field. Troiano added an RBI double in the sixth to make it 12-7.

Valentin went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Troiano also went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Andrew McCoy went 3-for-3 with three runs scored.

Cheyenne Lopez picked up the win on the mound, with Troiano coming in with the bases loaded in the seventh and two outs. He struck out the final batter for the save.

In the second game, Miles scored four runs in the fourth inning on a solo home run, a pair of Benedict errors and a bases-loaded walk.

Manzano went 2-for-3 with one RBI in the second game. Valentin went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The two teams will meet again for the third game in the conference weekend series at 1 p.m. on Sunday.