COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College baseball team closed out the 2022 season on Saturday. And despite closing out the season with a 12-game losing streak, Bradon O'Connor stole four bases on the day to break the NCAA Division II record for stolen bases in a season.
 
The Tigers were held to just four hits in the 23-1 loss, with O'Connor getting three of the hits. O'Connor led off the game with a bunt and reaching on a Savannah State error. He then stole second and followed by stealing third. He came home on a groundout by Ryan Chesney for Benedict's only run of the game.
 
O'Connor hit a single in the third inning, but was picked off at first base. He came to bat again in the fifth inning and singled to left field. He stole second and then stole third to give him 97 stolen bases on the season. The previous record was 96, set in 1987 by Cisco Johnson of Saint Leo College over 49 games.
 
Savannah State scored four runs in the second inning to take the lead, then added nine runs in the third inning on just two hits. Benedict issued five walks, hit one batter and committed four of their seven errors in the inning. Savannah State added four runs in the fifth, two in the seventh, one in the eighth and three in the ninth. Savannah State's Calvin Rucker hit three home runs in the game and drove in five runs. Gabriel Patxot also had a home run and drove in five runs.
 
Prior to the game, the Tigers celebrated senior day, recognizing three graduating seniors: Jorge Baez, Fareed Mizelle and Kerrion Phillips.
 
Benedict closes out the season at 5-42 overall and 2-26 in the SIAC. Savannah State goes to 33-10 overall and 28-2 in the SIAC and will be top seed in next week's SIAC Championship tournament in Albany, Ga.