Baseball gets championship rings

Claflin head baseball coach James Randall looks on as Lyndale Morley (2016 SIAC Tournament MVP) is presented with his conference championship ring by Claflin athletic director Dr. Jerome Fitch between the April 22 home games against Benedict College. The 2016 Panthers team was presented with their title rings in a ceremony at Mirmow Field. (Photo by G. Breland, Claflin Sports Information)

The Claflin University baseball team received championship rings on April 22 at Mirmow Field.

Claflin held a ring ceremony between a double header against rival school Benedict College celebrating last year's championship-winning baseball team.

“It feels good to finally get the one thing I’ve been wanting to wear since we won," junior outfielder Chris Gilliam said.

Each player from last year's team was called on one by one to receive a ring.

“I definitely want to win a championship this year so I can have that feeling to,” freshman outfielder Caleb Green said.

After finishing third in the SIAC last year and winning the conference tournament, the Panthers are presently in a battle with Clark-Atlanta University for the fourth and final spot in the 2017 SIAC tournament.

The SIAC tournament will be played in Augusta, Georgia, at Lake Olmstead Stadium, which is the home of the Augusta Green Jackets, a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.

The SIAC tournament is May 4-7.