Orange Park, Florida-Edward Waters honored 10 seniors who played their last home series in their collegiate careers as the Tigers welcomed Benedict in the home series finale on Saturday and Sunday at Ridgeview High School. Over those three contests, the Tiger offense exploded for an eye-popping 54 runs as EWU convincingly swept away the visiting Tigers.

(SATURDAY) GAME ONE: Edward Waters 11, Benedict 5:
After scoring the first run of the contest in the bottom half of the second, Edward Waters had to fight from behind as Benedict plated three runs in the top of the fourth inning on a three-run homer to take a 3-1 lead. Another Benedict homer of the two-run variety happened in the top of the fifth gave the visitors a 5-1 lead, before EWU would be able to fire back. 

EWU got to within one of the lead in the bottom of the fifth, on the strength of an RBI double from Dave Mitchum, and a two-RBI double from Hugo Schoening made it a 5-4 contest. The Purple & Orange offense exploded in a huge way in the bottom half of the eighth inning with seven runs crossing the plate, led by a thrilling, three-run inside-the-park homer Ferante Cowart. The Tigers of Edward Waters would ultimately earn an 11-5 victory in Game One of Saturday's doubleheader and fire the opening salvo in the series.

Ferante Cowart would finish Game One going 3-for-4 at the dish, with a homer, three RBI's, and two runs scored, while Erickson Matos also had a three hit game going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Dave Mitchum, Hugo Schoening, and Daiton Pass each recorded two hits for Edward Waters. Cameron Chastain would earn the victory for the Tigers on the mound in relief of starter Anthony Bayyat, going 2.1 innings, and striking out two. Bayyat took a no-decision, going 5.2 innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out two as well.

(SATURDAY) GAME TWO: Edward Waters 26, Benedict 11:
Game Two would be a score-fest for both sides as Edward Waters would outlast Benedict by posting a season high for runs with 26. The 26 runs for the Tigers would set a new modern-era record for runs in a single contest, besting last season mark of 24 runs in EWU 24-1 win over LeMoyne-Owen on February 17, 2023.

Torry Jones and John Nobles would each blast homers in the contest, while Erickson Matos had his best contest of the season going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with four RBI's and five runs scored. Nobles and Jones each went 3-for-4 with those homeruns as well for the Tigers. Alexander Davila moved his record to 6-1, recording three strikeouts.

(SUNDAY) GAME THREE: Edward Waters 17, Benedict 7 (7 Inn.):
Torry Jones would be the star of the final contest of the series, pacing the Edward Waters offense by going 3-for-4 with another homerun, a game high five RBI's, and three runs scored in the Tigers' run-rule victory on Sunday. Hugo Schoening would also go 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI's, and three runs scored, while Dave Mitchum, Daquarius Thompkins, and Caden Hutchinson each recorded two hits. 

Relief Pitcher Gerald Perret would take the win for the Tigers, appearing in the fifth inning and recording four strikeouts.

Edward Waters will wrap up the 2024 regular season with a Thursday-Friday three-game series against Albany State. A single contest will start things at 5:00pm on Thursday, while a doubleheader will conclude the series on Friday at 12:00pm.

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