COLUMBIA, S.C. – Tuskegee used a pair of big innings to top Benedict 18-8 on Saturday afternoon in the first game of a SIAC baseball doubleheader at Tiger Field.

The second game was suspended due to darkness heading into the top of the seventh inning, right after Benedict rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead. The final inning will be resumed on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., weather permitting, before the scheduled third game of the series.

Benedict falls to 0-10 overall and 0-4 in the SIAC on the season, while Tuskegee improves to 2-8 overall and 2-2 in the SIAC.

The Tigers scored a pair of runs in the second inning to take a 2-0 lead on a two-run single by Jalen McDuffie. Tuskegee tied the game in the fourth, scoring two runs on one hit, two walks, and a Benedict error. Jamell Mitchell Jr. put Benedict ahead 3-2 in the fifth inning on a two-out RBI single.

The Golden Tigers scored nine runs in the sixth inning on just three hits, aided by four Benedict errors. Benedict added three runs in the bottom of the sixth on a walk, a hit batsman, and a pair of Tuskegee errors.

Tuskegee scored six runs in the eighth on just two hits as the Tigers issued five walks and hit one batter. McDuffie had an RBI double for Benedict in the bottom of the eighth, and later scored on a wild pitch to close out the scoring.

In the second game, Benedict jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Bradon O'Connor and Ryan Chesney had RBI singles, and Reno Brock brought home a run on a sacrifice fly.

Tuskegee scored two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth to tie the game, and pulled ahead 5-3 with two runs in the top of the sixth. Benedict started the rally in the bottom of the sixth with a pair of walks. Mitchell hit a bunt single to load the bases. Jorge Baez hit a one-out double into the left-field corner to clear the bases and give Benedict a 6-5 lead.