COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College baseball team opened the 2026 season on Friday afternoon, falling to Spring Hill College 14-9 in a SIAC matchup at Tiger Field.
 
The Tigers, now 0-1 overall and 0-1 in the SIAC, had a 7-6 lead after six innings, but the Badgers (3-6 overall, 1-0 SIAC) scored eight unanswered runs for a 14-7 lead. Benedict closed the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.
 
Jaquez Akins led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-3 and drove in four runs. He had a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give Benedict a 7-6 lead. Joshua Medina went 3-for-4, including an RBI double. Jonathan Olmedo also had a pair of hits, including a double.
 
The Tigers used five pitchers on the day, giving up 14 hits, walking 12 with nine strikeouts, had six wild pitches and hit a pair of batters. Starting pitcher Sebastian Vargas took the loss.
 
Benedict and Spring Hill will continue their conference series with a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.