Palmetto State Baseball team of the week, Feb. 23-March 1: Benedict

Benedict (7-0 for the week)
(beat Lane twice, beat Paine twice, beat Kentucky State thrice)

Benedict started its season last among the state's 33 college baseball teams. The Tigers lost their first three games, but have been on tear ever since.

Coach Selwyn Young's team has won its last eight games - seven of them coming in the past week thanks to a delay in last weekend's Lane series. That has the Tigers at 8-3, including 6-3 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Historically, Young's teams have been noted for their baserunning bravado, ranking at or near the top nationally in stolen bases in NCAA  Division II.

This squad has stolen 21 bases in 11 games, but stats suggest the Tigers dig the long ball. Benedict has 22 home runs and is averaging almost 12.5 ruins per game. Of nine players with 20 or more at-bats,0 eight are hitting .313 or better.

Up next: at home vs. Edward Waters, Saturday

Also considered

Anderson (3-1) 

Charleston Southern (3-1)
Clemson (3-1) 
Coker (3-1) - series sweep at Virginia Wise
Columbia International (3-1) -
Denmark Tech (1-1) - first win program resumed after 21-year hiatus

Florence-Darlington Tech (5-0)

Lander (3-1)

North Greenville (3-1) - won 2 of 3 at Francis Marion

USC Aiken (3-1)

USC Union (4-0)

Winthrop (4-0) - winning streak at seven
Wofford (3-1)

Previous winners
Jan. 23-Feb. 1: North Greenville
Feb. 2-8: Anderson
Feb. 9-15: Francis Marion 

Feb. 16-22: Charleston Southern