Miles capped its excellent regular season with two exciting come-from-behind wins on Senior Day against Benedict. The Golden Bears (30-17, 19-1 SIAC) spotted the first six runs of the game to the Tigers (17-20, 7-12) before earning a 9-6 win in the opener. In the nightcap, Miles scored five runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to earn an improbable 12-11 win that solidified its spot atop the SIAC Western Division and eliminated Benedict from the conference tournament.

Thirteen different players got hits during the doubleheader as head coach Ty Roberts judiciously used his roster during the final games of the regular season. In between games, Miles honored its 12 seniors who were playing their final home games. Roberts' decision to insure that his players were properly lauded in the nightcap paid big dividends in the final outcome.

GAME 1: Miles 9, Benedict 6

Starter William Donahoo had just one bad inning and it came in the third, when he gave up five runs. The big blow was a three-run home run by David White, which gave the Tigers a 6-0 lead and quickly took some of the joy out of what was supposed to be a celebratory day.

But the offense quickly awakened from its malaise in the bottom of the third to get right back in the game. A run-scoring double by Alex Bentley got Miles on the board and Trevor Bates followed with a two-run double. He would score on a single to left by Kolby Brannon and the deficit was trimmed to 6-4. Benedict pitcher Ricardo Pagan (2-2) issued back-to-back bases loaded walks to Jacob Bisharat and Bates to tie the score. Bentley would score on a wild pitch and Miles would take a 7-6 lead.

Reeves Brashear and Ryan Bargery would pop back-to-back RBI doubles in the fifth and Miles would extend its lead to 9-6. Donahoo (8-3), a senior making his final home start, settled in after the disastrous third, allowing just one more hit to earn the victory. Freshman Lucas Howton would pitch the seventh to earn his first career save.

GAME 2: Miles 12, Benedict 11

To pay homage to the senior class, Roberts' entire starting lineup featured seniors, which meant an interesting mix. Brashear, normally the designated hitter but also a first and third baseman, started in right field. Donahoo, who started game one and had never taken an at-bat at Miles, was the designated hitter. While everyone looked to revel in the final game festivities, Benedict was businesslike in its approach attempting to salvage its season.

The Tigers scored two runs in the top of the first off senior starter Christopher Elias but the Golden Bears erased that lead in the bottom of the inning with a three-run double by Lavontae LaCount. But Benedict continued to pound Elias and when Andrew McCoy hit a two-run homer in the fourth, the Tigers had posted eight runs against the conference earned run average leader.

The teams would exchange runs and Benedict held a 9-6 lead heading into the seventh inning. During the top of the frame, Roberts would pull his senior starters off the field - which had started the previous inning with Mason Smith - to give them an opportunity for applause by the fans. By the end of the inning, the only seniors remaining were Brannon and Xavius Burden. But Benedict had little use for the pomp and circumstance, scoring two runs off reliever Jacob Schuster (2-1) for a five-run leaded going into the bottom of the seventh.

But with a bench full of young players who have seen regular time this season, plus those already in the game, Miles had the tools to not only launch a comeback, but to show that there is still a talented bunch of players remaining for upcoming seasons.

Miles would load the bases with and with one out, Roderick Ransom - who led off with a walk - would score on a wild pitch. Another walk would again load the bases. Donahoo, who got his first career hit, was due up but Roberts pinch hit for him...with starting pitcher Dylan Johnson, who had also never taken an at-bat at Miles but was the tying run. Going for the win was not as important as allowing all the seniors to get a final opportunity to participate. With a big moment available, though, Johnson struck out.

But Brandon Conner, who came in the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the inning, launched a 2-1 pitch off Benedict reliever Keati Buchanon (3-3) deep over the fence in left center for a grand slam - his second home run of the season and first since opening day - to send the crowd into hysterics as he tied the game. Cody Hamilton, another sub, would double to right, Burden would walk and both runners moved up on a wild pitch. That brought Ransom to the plate for the second time in the inning and he chopped a high hopper over third base for a single that scored Anderson with the winning run and set off a big celebration on the infield.

UP NEXT: Miles will open the SIAC Tournament in Albany, Ga. as the Western Division No. 1 seed against Eastern Division No. 4 seed Paine. on Thursday at 11 a.m.