JACKSON, Ms. — LJ Bryant and Tristen Cooper each drove in two runs, but it wasn't enough as the Florida A&M University baseball team could not overcome a sluggish start in a 10-5 loss to Jackson State on Saturday afternoon at Braddy Field.
Florida A&M (4-8) took an early 1-0 lead, but committed two errors in the bottom of the first inning as Jackson State (8-5) built a 4-1 advantage. The Rattlers continued to battle back throughout the game and got as close as 4-3, but could not grab the lead from JSU.
How It Happened
Florida A&M opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning.
With two down in the frame, Jared Weber singled through the left side and advanced to second when Tucker Rayburn was hit by a pitch. LJ Bryant followed with a base hit to center, scoring Weber from second and giving the Rattlers a 1-0 lead.
Jackson State responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring four runs on hits and capitalized on a pair of errors to grab a 4-1 lead.
Back came the Rattlers in the third with a pair of runs on one hit and chased Jackson State starting pitcher Harry Colon.
Robert Robinson led off the frame with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jared Weber. Rayburn walked and both runners advanced a base on a passed ball. Bryant followed with a walk to load the bases for Tristen Cooper, who ripped a single up the middle, plating Robinson and Rayburn as FAMU closed the gap to 4-3.
The Tigers answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs on three hits and Jackson State extended the advantage to 7-3 with a run in the fourth.
Florida A&M continued to battle back and plated a pair of runs on three hits in the top of the fifth.
Octavien Moyer led off the inning and was hit by a pitch and moved to second when Weber singled through the left side. Rayburn followed with a single through the right side but was tagged out when trying to advance to second as Moyer score. Bryant ripped a base hit off the shin of JSU relief pitcher Brandon Valentin Weber came across to score as the Rattlers trimmed the margin to 7-5.
Jackson State picked up another run in the seventh and put the game out of reach with two more runs in the eighth to extend the lead to 10-5.
Inside the Numbers
> Florida A&M finished with five runs on eight hits, committed four errors and stranded 10 on base
> Jared Weber led FAMU at the plate by going 4-for-4, with a. pair of runs scored
> LJ Bryant went 2-for-4, with two RBIs
> Josh Barr (0-2) started on the mound for the Rattlers and failed to record an out as he was tagged for four runs on four hits and walked two
> Kelyn Fox, Pedro de los Rios, Zach Morea, Tommy Ben and Landon Nevill worked in relief
> Jackson State finished with 10 runs on 11 hits and left 10 on base
> Chris Prentiss went 2-for-3, with two RBIs and two runs scored to lead JSU
> Equon Smith and Jaylyn Williams each collected a pair of hits
> Harry Colon (1-1) earned the win as he surrendered three runs on three hits, walked four and struck out two in 2.2 innings
> Brandon Valentin, Rauvardo Torres and Mario Lopez pitched in relief
Up Next
Florida A&M concludes its three-game series with Jackson State on Sunday at Braddy Field. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. (eastern time).
