Albany State crowned SIAC champions for first time since 2018

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - The Albany State Golden Rams (ASU) conference champions for the first time in seven years after defeating the Savannah State Tigers 14-12 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) championship game Sunday in Macon.

The 2025 season has been one of turbulence for the Golden Rams. ASU came into the tournament having lost more conference games than the three previous seasons combined. Injuries and inconsistent play left the blue and gold with an uphill battle as the four seed. April 5, 2025, the turning point of the season. After dropping game one in their series against Morehouse College, the Rams finished the regular season winning nine of their last eleven games.

They stayed hot in the conference tourney with a dominant 11-1 win over Miles College in the opening contest. They followed that up with an 8-5 upset over win over top seeded Spring Hill. After the Golden Rams were swept by Savannah State (0-3) during their regular season series in early March. The bats awakened exploding for 23 runs against the Tigers in the semifinal. Emory Stephens and Luke Addison combined for 11 RBI’s and the combination of William Beasley and Tyler Bullock tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

In Sunday’s finale the bats remained hot scoring in each of the first four innings. Luke Addison led the way going 3 for 5 with 3 RBI’s. His two-run home run in the bottom of the 6th inning sparked a 7-run frame.

Matt Delay and and Tyler Turner combined for 5 hits and 6 RBI’s.

The Tigers refused to go away, cutting the deficit to two in the 7th inning. Head Coach Scot Hemmings went to his ace Landon Kiefer. Kiefer earned the save tossing two scoreless innings to secure the championship.

Shortstop Emory Stephens won the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He went 5 for 18, 10 RBI’s and 5 runs scored in four games.

With the championship secured, the Golden Rams now wait to find out their placement in the NCAA Regional play. The NCAA Selection Show airs on May 11.

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