Stillman comes from behind to win 2nd consecutive baseball championship
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Entering Sunday’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Championship, Stillman coach Donny Crawford knew he had to piece together enough pitching to win two games against Paine College. Although the Lions twice had Stillman on the ropes, the Tigers’ bullpen was lights out and the bats came alive in time to post a 9-4 and 6-5 sweep of Paine to take a second consecutive SIAC title at Tiger Field.
Game two was possible thanks to the pitching effort in game one by Chase Wilson. He came into the game in the third inning and allowed an inherited run to score that gave the Lions a 4-3 advantage. From there, he allowed just one hit. For the tournament, Wilson struck out 17 in 15 1/3 innings and allowed only six hits and one run.
Wright helped break open a close game late. Ahead 5-4 in the sixth, he blasted solo home runs in the sixth and seventh innings as Stillman pulled away.
Graham Wright, the tournament Most Valuable Player, allowed just two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings in relief to earn the win in game two. He struck out Wendell Celestine with the tying run on base to clinch the title and start the celebration in the middle of the diamond.
Paine (29-15) scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth innings to take a 3-0 advantage. James Dudley homered off Robert Duckworth and added a run-scoring single while Celestine scored on a fielder’s choice for the Lions.
Stillman, which had only three hits through the first five innings, came alive in the sixth against Paine starter Michael Carter. A two-run single by Grayson Crawford cut the deficit to 3-2 and Steven Silveria doubled home two more for a 4-3 advantage.
Silveria blasted a two-run homer to right in the eighth to make the score 6-3 but Paine responded with two in the bottom of the frame to keep the score within one headed into the ninth. Stillman would hold off the late Paine rally and would win 6-5.
SIAC All Tournament Team:
Michael Merideth Tuskegee University
Timothy Cser Miles College
Chuncey Ward Albany State University
Nathan Coggins Albany State University
Alex Humphrey Paine College
Graham Wright Stillman College
Clay Gilliam Stillman College
Caleb Rowell Paine College
William Larisey Paine College
Chase Wilson Stillman College
Tournament Most Valuable Player: Graham Wright Stillman College
Outstanding Coach of the Tournament: Donny Crawford Stillman College
Tournament Results
1st Place: Stillman College
2nd Place: Paine College
3rd Place: Albany State University