SIAC Tournament Preview
- Robert Frey
- Apr 30
- 10 min read
It's playoff time in the SIAC! Eight teams are ready to bring the heat to historic Luther Williams Field in Macon, Georgia. From Thursday, May 1st, through Sunday, May 4th, they'll battle it out in a tough, eight-team double-elimination bracket starting at 9 AM Eastern Time.
What's on the line? Only the SIAC Tournament Championship and that all-important automatic ticket to the NCAA South Regional. Expect tight games, big plays, and maybe a little bit of drama.
Link for info regarding bracket: https://thesiac.com/tournaments/?id=97&path=baseball
Let's dive into the teams making the trip to Macon!
#1 Seed Spring Hill
Spring Hill dominated the SIAC regular season, posting an impressive 29-3 conference record en route to a 36-12 overall mark and securing the No. 1 seed for the tournament. They'll kick off the action at Luther Williams Field against the No. 8 seed, Lane, on Thursday, May 1st, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.
Team Highlights:
The Badgers have been exceptional across the board, ranking near the top of the SIAC in nearly every category:
Hitting Prowess: They rank in the Top 5 for team batting average (tied for 2nd at .322 BA) and boast the 2nd best team OPS (.947 OPS).
Disciplined and Aggressive: Spring Hill leads the SIAC in walks (289 BB) and ranks 3rd in stolen bases (129 SB).
Dominant Pitching Staff: Their arms lead the conference with the lowest team ERA (4.53 ERA) and the most strikeouts (369 SO). They also hold opponents to the 2nd lowest batting average (.270 BAA) and have the 2nd best K/BB ratio (1.85 K/BB).
Stellar Defense: The Badgers rank 2nd in fielding percentage (.959 FLD%) and 3rd in caught stealing percentage (.262 CS%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Bryce Anderson: Anderson combines average (.361 BA), production (1.044 OPS), and speed (20 SB).
Seth Williams: Williams hits for a high average (.370 BA), posts a strong OPS (1.079 OPS), and leads the team with 54 RBI.
Jackson Bell: Bell leads the team with a lofty .392 batting average and contributes significantly with a 1.100 OPS.
Jack Taylor: Taylor provides another high-average bat, hitting .353 BA.
AJ Swader: Swader brings a potent combination of average (.400 BA), on-base plus slugging (1.213 OPS), and power (10 HR).
Reggie Cooper: Cooper is a major threat on the bases with 29 stolen bases.
Pitching:
Miles Justin: Justin has been lights out, posting a very low 2.44 ERA and an outstanding 5.25 K/BB ratio over 51.2 innings.
Korey Bunselmeyer: Bunselmeyer is a workhorse who anchors the rotation (70.0 IP) with a solid 3.73 ERA.
Michael Racobaldo: Racobaldo is another key starter, logging 61.2 innings with a good 3.79 ERA.
Spring Hill enters the SIAC tournament as the clear team to beat, showcasing dominance in nearly every facet of the game. Their offense is deep and potent (ranking #1 in walks and #2 in OPS), while their pitching staff leads the league in ERA (4.53) and strikeouts (369). With multiple high-average hitters and standout pitchers like Miles Justin (2.44 ERA), the Badgers are well-equipped for a deep run in Macon.
#2 Seed Edward Waters
Edward Waters put together a strong conference campaign, finishing 25-8 in SIAC play and 33-16 overall, earning them the No. 2 seed. They'll begin tournament action at Luther Williams Field, facing the No. 7 seed, Tuskegee, on Thursday, May 1st, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time.
Team Highlights:
The Tigers excel on the basepaths and defensively:
Patient and Fast: Edward Waters ranks 3rd in the SIAC in walks (259 BB) and leads the conference by a wide margin in stolen bases (205 SB).
Strong Defense: They are solid defensively, ranking 3rd in fielding percentage (.955 FLD%) and tied for the best caught stealing percentage in the league (.286 CS%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Torry Jones: Jones provides significant offensive punch with a strong 1.038 OPS, power (10 HR), and leads the team with 57 RBI.
Dave Mitchum: Mitchum is a major threat on the bases, swiping 48 bags.
Caden Hutchinson: Hutchinson adds another speed element with 28 stolen bases.
Jordan Smith: Smith has reached the 20 stolen base mark (20 SB).
Dannon Smith: Smith also brings speed with 20 stolen bases.
Pitching:
Liam Prepetit leads the qualifying pitchers with a 4.10 ERA over 52.2 innings.
Luis Valero: Valero misses bats effectively out of the bullpen, posting a high 30.3% K% over 27.1 innings.
Edward Waters brings elite team speed (205 SB) and solid defense (.955 FLD%, .286 CS%) to the SIAC Tournament. While their overall offensive numbers aren't top-tier, Torry Jones (1.038 OPS, 10 HR, 57 RBI) is a major run producer, and they have multiple players capable of changing the game on the basepaths. They'll look for pitchers like Liam Prepetit (4.10 ERA) and Luis Valero (30.3% K%) to step up against Tuskegee in their opening game.
#3 Seed Savannah State
Savannah State secured the No. 3 seed in the tournament after a strong 24-9 performance in SIAC play, finishing with a 29-12 overall record. Their first game at Luther Williams Field will be bright and early against the No. 6 seed, Benedict, scheduled for Thursday, May 1st, at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.
Team Highlights:
The Tigers boast a well-rounded team with strengths in hitting, baserunning, and pitching:
Solid Offense: Savannah State ranks in the Top 5 in the SIAC for team batting average (4th at .314 BA) and team OPS (5th with a .891 OPS).
Aggressive Baserunning: They are very active on the basepaths, ranking 2nd in the conference in stolen bases (150 SB).
Strong Pitching: Their pitching staff has the 2nd lowest team ERA in the SIAC (5.06 ERA), ranks in the Top 5 for strikeouts (4th with 291 SO), and holds opponents to the lowest batting average against in the league (.244 BAA).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Kendal Spencer: Spencer has had a phenomenal season, leading the team with a .432 batting average, a stellar 1.182 OPS, 30 stolen bases, and 51 RBI.
Reginald Tuggle: Tuggle provides another high-average bat (.364 BA) with excellent production (1.066 OPS) and speed (22 SB).
Johan Sandoval: Sandoval contributes significantly with a strong 1.026 OPS and speed on the bases (27 SB).
Chandler Hicks: Hicks adds to the team's speed element with 20 stolen bases.
Pitching:
Brayden Thomas: Thomas has been the workhorse of the staff, logging 79.0 innings with a low 3.30 ERA.
Bervin Smith: Smith has excelled in a versatile role, posting a very low 2.27 ERA and a great 3.14 K/BB ratio over 47.2 innings.
Adonis Perez: Perez has been effective out of the bullpen with a low 2.84 ERA across 31.2 innings.
Savannah State enters the SIAC Tournament with a dangerous lineup featuring high-average hitters and plenty of speed (150 SB), complemented by one of the league's best pitching staffs (5.06 ERA, .244 BAA). Led offensively by Kendal Spencer (.432 BA, 1.182 OPS, 30 SB) and featuring quality arms like Brayden Thomas (3.30 ERA) and Bervin Smith (2.27 ERA), the Tigers have the pieces to make a deep run in Macon, starting with their matchup against Benedict.
#4 Seed Albany State
Albany State finished the regular season with a 21-12 conference record and 26-20 overall, earning the No. 4 seed for the tournament. They are scheduled to play the No. 5 seed, Miles, in Game 4 on Thursday, May 1st, with a 6:00 PM Eastern Time start at Luther Williams Field.
Team Highlights:
The Golden Rams are a well-rounded squad, ranking highly in numerous team categories:
Strong Offense: Albany State sits in the Top 5 in the SIAC for team batting average (5th at .310 BA) and team OPS (4th with a .897 OPS). They also rank 2nd in walks (286 BB).
Excellent Pitching: The pitching staff boasts the 3rd best team ERA (5.39 ERA), ranks 2nd in strikeouts (348 SO), and possesses the best K/BB ratio (1.88 K/BB) in the conference.
Elite Defense: They field their position exceptionally well, leading the SIAC with the best fielding percentage (.960 FLD%) and tying for the best caught stealing percentage (.286 CS%).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Hill Corley: Corley is hitting for a high average at .366 BA.
Austin Roberts: Roberts provides another consistent bat, hitting .360 BA.
Tyler Turner: Turner adds to the average depth, hitting .352 BA.
Luke Addison: Addison is a major run producer (1.016 OPS), provides power (10 HR), and leads the team with 61 RBI.
Matt Delay: Delay contributes significantly with a high 1.067 OPS.
Pitching:
Landon Kiefer: Kiefer has been outstanding, posting a low 3.20 ERA with a high strikeout rate (31.8% K%) and excellent command (4.89 K/BB ratio) over 64.2 innings.
Calvin Baker: Baker has also been effective with a low 3.21 ERA across 42.0 innings pitched.
Gercal Reyes: Reyes has logged the most innings (70.0 IP) among starters and has a solid 3.60 ERA.
Albany State presents a formidable challenge with strengths in all phases of the game. Their offense gets on base (2nd in walks), their pitching staff ranks near the top in ERA (5.39), strikeouts (348), and K/BB ratio (1.88), and their defense is the best in the league (.960 FLD%). With hitters like Luke Addison (1.016 OPS, 61 RBI) and pitchers like Landon Kiefer (3.20 ERA, 31.8 K%), the Golden Rams are built to compete deep into the tournament, starting with their matchup against Miles.
#5 Seed Miles
Miles finished the conference schedule at 17-14, securing the No. 5 seed with an overall record of 23-23-1. Their tournament begins at Luther Williams Field against the No. 4 seed, Albany State, on Thursday, May 1st, at 6:00 PM Eastern Time.
Team Highlights:
The Golden Bears' primary strength lies in their team speed:
Running Wild: Miles ranks 3rd in the SIAC in stolen bases with 178 swipes.
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Brandon Leroy: Leroy provides significant production with a high 1.085 OPS.
Camden Matthews: Matthews also boasts a strong OPS at 1.048.
Casey Threats: Threats is the engine of the offense, leading the team in stolen bases (37 SB) and RBI (36 RBI). Note: Threats is not listed on the team website for stats, but is listed on the team roster and his stats appear on his player page.
Gavin Millians: Millians hits for a solid average (.349 BA) and drives in runs (33 RBI).
Pitching:
Camden Matthews: Matthews stands out on the mound among qualifiers, leading the team's qualifying pitchers in ERA (4.26 ERA), strikeout rate (30.3% K%), and K/BB ratio (3.67 K/BB) over 25.1 innings.
Jayson Wood (54.1 IP) and Jaelyn Rhynes (53.0 IP) have logged the most innings for the Golden Bears staff.
Miles brings elite speed (178 SB) to the SIAC tournament, spearheaded by Casey Threats (37 SB). While they don't rank highly in many other team categories, Brandon Leroy (1.085 OPS) and Camden Matthews (1.048 OPS) offer offensive production. Matthews (4.26 ERA, 30.3% K%) is also the key figure on the pitching staff among those with qualifying innings. They'll look to utilize their speed and get a strong pitching performance in their opening matchup against Albany State.
#6 Seed Benedict
Benedict finished the conference season at 17-14, securing the No. 6 seed with an overall record of 23-16. They are set to face the No. 3 seed, Savannah State, in Game 3 on Thursday, May 1st, with a 9:00 AM Eastern Time first pitch at Luther Williams Field in Macon, GA.
Team Highlights:
The Tigers possess the most explosive offense in the SIAC:
Hitting Kings: Benedict leads the SIAC with the highest team batting average (.335 BA).
Top Production: They also lead the conference with the highest team OPS (1.062 OPS).
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Juan Guardado: Guardado has been phenomenal, hitting for an extremely high average (.424 BA), providing power (15 HR), and posting an incredible 1.608 OPS.
Isaiah Canty: Canty is a dynamic threat, hitting .371 BA with a 1.193 OPS, leading the team with 46 RBI, and adding speed with 24 stolen bases.
Nicholas Gioia: Gioia is hitting .427 BA with a potent 1.239 OPS.
Cameron Haley: Haley contributes significantly with a .371 batting average and a 1.075 OPS.
Justin Murray: Murray provides strong production with a 1.009 OPS.
Pitching:
While no Benedict pitchers with 25+ innings met the low ERA threshold, Brailin Duran leads the qualifying pitchers with a 4.93 ERA over 69.1 innings pitched and is the only qualifier with a strong K/BB ratio (3.23 K/BB).
Benedict rides into Macon with the SIAC's top offense, leading the league in both batting average (.335) and OPS (1.062). Juan Guardado (.424 BA, 15 HR, 1.608 OPS) and Isaiah Canty (.371 BA, 46 RBI, 24 SB) lead a truly dangerous lineup. Their success in the tournament will likely depend on whether their pitching staff (8.08 team ERA), anchored by innings-eater Brailin Duran (69.1 IP), can provide enough support for their high-powered offense against Savannah State.
#7 Seed Tuskegee
Tuskegee enters the tournament as the No. 7 seed after finishing 15-18 in conference play and 19-29 overall. They have a matchup against the No. 2 seed, Edward Waters, scheduled for Thursday, May 1st, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time at Luther Williams Field.
Team Highlights:
The Golden Tigers' game plan heavily involves speed on the bases:
Running Wild: Tuskegee is 2nd in the SIAC in stolen bases, swiping 188 bags as a team.
Players to Watch:
Offense:
James Slaughter: Slaughter hits for a high average (.372 BA) and is exceptionally fast (45 SB).
Devon Lee: Lee combines average (.359 BA), speed (23 SB), and leads the team with 46 RBI.
Scott Williams: Williams provides offensive production with a 1.010 OPS.
John Saffold: Saffold adds more speed with 24 stolen bases.
Ryan Morrow: Morrow contributes with speed, successfully stealing 22 bases.
Pitching:
Isiah Jones leads the qualifying pitchers with a 4.88 ERA over 31.1 innings.
Mikelle Mason (63.0 IP), Amare Morgan (57.0 IP), and Richard Powell IV (53.1 IP) have logged the most innings for the staff.
Tuskegee's biggest weapon is their team speed, leading the SIAC with 188 stolen bases, featuring burners like James Slaughter (45 SB) and Devon Lee (23 SB). Lee (.359 BA) also leads the team in driving in runs (46 RBI). They'll need their running game to create chaos and hope their pitching can hold up against No. 2 seed Edward Waters.
#8 Seed Lane
Lane enters the SIAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed, finishing the conference season at 13-19 and holding a 14-29 overall record. They draw the toughest matchup right out of the gate, facing the No. 1 seed, Spring Hill, in the tournament opener on Thursday, May 1st, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time at Luther Williams Field in Macon.
Players to Watch:
Offense:
Eli Garcia: Garcia swings a hot bat, hitting for a high average (.394 BA).
Saul Gonzalez: Gonzalez has been the main offensive driver, hitting .368 BA with a strong 1.183 OPS, leading the team with 8 HR and 40 RBI.
Pitching:
Anderson Jorge: Jorge has been a bright spot on the pitching staff, posting a low 2.98 ERA over 42.1 innings pitched.
Savion Loor (69.1 IP), Desean Rogers (48.0 IP), and Ryan Kinney (46.1 IP) have logged significant innings for the Dragons.
Lane faces an uphill battle as the No. 8 seed against top-seeded Spring Hill. While they don't rank highly in team statistical categories, they have individual standouts like Saul Gonzalez (.368 BA, 1.183 OPS, 40 RBI) powering the offense and Anderson Jorge (2.98 ERA) leading the pitching staff. They'll need strong performances from their key players to challenge the heavily favored Badgers in the opening round.
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