COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Benedict College baseball team kicked off the 2023 season on Sunday, splitting a doubleheader with Miles College. 

The Tigers had a major comeback to take a 9-8 victory in the first game. Benedict fell behind 8-1 in the second game, adding two runs in the 7th inning before losing 8-3.

Miles College took a 7-0 lead after the first three innings. Justin Murray hit a RBI double in the bottom of the fourth to put the Tigers on the board. Fareed Mizelle hit a two-run double in the bottom of the fourth to make it 7-3.

Quentin Watts came in relief in the fourth inning, pitching six strong innings and striking out five. 

Jayden Jones scored off a fielder's choice in the fifth inning, and Murray scored off of a single by Mizelle to cut the lead to 7-5. The Tigers took the game in the bottom of the ninth, scoring three runs. Jacob Hall pinch ran, stole third, and scored to cut the score to 8-7. Mitchell scored off another RBI single from Murray, tying the game 8-8. Elijah Banks pinch ran, scoring on a walk-off when William Martinez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded for the Tigers to win 9-8. 

In the second game, Jamie Taveras scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the third to put the Tigers on the board. The Golden Bears took an 8-1 lead in the top of the sixth inning. Benedict closed out the game in the seventh inning with a RBI double from Murray, sending Amarion Watson and Banks home. 

The Tigers are back in action against Miles College on Tiger Field on Monday at 11 a.m.