Claflin Host Benedict in a Key SIAC Series

Orangeburg, S.C. - The Claflin University and Benedict College baseball teams will meet in a key Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) three-game series this weekend at Historic Mirmow Field.

Action gets underway Saturday (April 22) with a twin bill at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Between the games, Claflin officials will hold a ring ceremony to honor the 2016 baseball team that captured the program's first-ever SIAC Championship. Last season, the Panthers swept through the conference tournament with a perfect 4-0 record en route to the title. The Panthers made another history achievement with a trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament.

The series concludes Sunday (April 23) with a single game.

A pregame ceremony is scheduled to honor the senior members of the baseball and track & field teams at approximately 12:30 p.m.

The series carries significant importance for both teams as it relates to the Eastern Division race. Only the top four teams from the East and West Divisions participate in the conference tournament, slated for May 4-7 at the Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta, Ga.

Benedict is currently tied with Paine College for second place in the division at 10-5, while Claflin and Clark Atlanta University share fourth place. Albany State University sits atop of the divisional standings at 12-3.

The Panthers will have one conference series left (April 29-30) against Lane College in Jackson, Tenn. Before Lane, Claflin travels to Augusta University (April 26) for a mid-week non-conference game.

Benedict will bring a 21-11 overall record into the series matchup, while the Panthers are 12-28 (6-9 SIAC) for the season.

Since moving to NCAA Division II, Claflin and Benedict has met 25 times on the baseball diamond with the Panthers hold a 14-11 advantage, including a series sweeps in 2014.

Claflin Rashad Bivens has enjoyed success during his career against the Tigers, hitting .320 with a pair of home runs and 11 RBIs. Bivens and Reginald Rogers have collected eight hits a piece against Benedict.

Lyndale Morley is batting .416 against the Tigers in three career-games for the Panthers.

Darrell Langston is the offensive leader for Claflin this season with five homers, 26 RBIs, 50 hits and a .347 batting average. Langston has hit safely in 30 of the 39 games he played in this season. His best output of the season came against Bluefield State (Feb. 2) with two homer and 3 RBIs.

Jonathan Parnell, II is also hitting the ball well at .331 with 45 hits and 25 RBIs. Other Claflin hitters above the .300 mark include Morley (.341), Elliott Melton (.316) and Bivens (.308).

Benedict is led by David White Jr. with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Armando Valentin is the other top hitter for the Tigers with a hitting average of .443 to go with four homers and 44 RBIs.

Keamond Eison tops the Panthers pitching staff with three wins, followed by Torriun Towers and Dubose with two each.

Benedict has two unbeaten pitchers in James Roman at 6-0 and Robert Troiano with a 5-0 record.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Rashad Bivens: IF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

#5 Keamond Eison: P; 5' 10"; Senior; R/R

#1 Elliott Melton: OF; 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R

#6 Lyndale Morley: P/OF; 6' 0"; Junior; L/L

#2 Reginald Rogers: IF; 6' 1"; Senior; R/R

#20 Darrell Langston: OF; 6' 1"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#9 Rashad Bivens
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#5 Keamond Eison
: 5' 10"; Senior; R/R
: P

#1 Elliott Melton
: 5' 9"; Sophomore; R/R
: OF

#6 Lyndale Morley
: 6' 0"; Junior; L/L
: P/OF

#2 Reginald Rogers
: 6' 1"; Senior; R/R
: IF

#20 Darrell Langston
: 6' 1"; Junior; R/R
: OF