NORTHPORT, Ala. — The Stillman College baseball team rallied late and walked off Philander Smith University Panthers for a 6-5 win after overcoming a mid-game deficit in the opening round of the Hope Credit Union HBCU Athletic Conference Baseball Championship on Saturday afternoon at River Run Park.
Philander Smith struck first in the opening inning on a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead, but Stillman answered in the second. With the bases loaded,
Gavin Rehorn worked a walk to force in
Tory Huddleston and tie the game at 1-1.
The Panthers worked the bases loaded in the top of the second, but starting pitcher
Zack Munger and the Tigers' defense kept PSU off the board to keep the score tied.
The game remained tight until the fifth, when Philander Smith surged ahead. A two-run home run put the visitors in front before aggressive baserunning added another run on a steal of home. An RBI double later in the inning extended the lead to 5-1.
Stillman responded immediately in the bottom half with a decisive swing. Rehorn scored on a fielder's choice to cut into the deficit, and moments later, Huddleston delivered the biggest hit of the game, launching a three-run home run to right field to even the score at 5-5.
The Tigers continued to apply pressure on the bases throughout the game, with
Robert Gage swiping two bags and additional steals from
Jonathan Phillips and Sincere Ford helping create scoring opportunities.
After the fifth, both pitching staffs settled in. Munger worked through seven innings, striking out seven while limiting further damage after the big fifth inning.
John Roland was dominant in relief, tossing two scoreless innings to keep the game tied and earn the win.
Stillman broke through in the ninth to complete the comeback.
Robert Gage came around to score on
Davion Wilkins' RBI single to right center, sealing the 6-5 victory.
Huddleston led the offense with three hits and three RBIs, highlighted by his game-tying home run, while Rehorn drove in a run and reached base multiple times.
Up Next:
The Tigers are set for a 10 a.m. game in the winner's bracket against West Division #1 Seed Huston-Tillotson University Rams, who enter the contest after a 9-2 win over Voorhees University.
