TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | Seyjuan Lawrence and LJ Bryant each drove in two runs to highlight a seven-run fifth inning as the Florida A&M University baseball team ended a five-game losing streak with an 8-5 victory to open a three-game series with Dayton on Friday night at Moore-Kittles Field.
Florida A&M (2-5) trailed 1-0 midway through the fourth inning before scoring eight unanswered runs to take an 8-1 lead into the sixth. Dayton (3-5) plated four runs in the sixth, but could not get any closer.
How It Happened
After three scoreless innings, Dayton broke the 0-0 tie in the top of the fourth when Alex Brickman doubled to score Riley Tirotta, who opened the inning by being hit by a pitch, as the Flyers grabbed the 1-0 lead.
Florida A&M answered in the bottom of the frame when Octavien Moyer began the inning with a double to right center and came across to score on an error after Jared Weber had reached on an infield hit, tying the game at 1.
The Rattlers took the lead for good in the fifth with seven runs on five hits.
Grant Rowell picked up his first hit of the season to lead off the inning and advanced to third when Brad Hession doubled down the left field line. With one down, Moyer was hit by a pitch, loading the bases. Weber and Tucker Rayburn drew back-to-back walks, scoring Rowell and Hession.
After a pitching change, Bryant singled to center, scoring Moyer and Weber. Tristen Cooper followed with a double to left to plate Rayburn. Lawrence followed with a double to left as Cooper and Bryant scored, giving Florida A&M an 8-1 lead.
The Flyers cut the deficit to 8-5 in the sixth, highlighted by a three-run homer by Tate Hagan.
However, Dayton couldn't not get any closer as Florida A&M earned its second victory of the season.
Inside the Numbers
> Florida A&M finished with eight runs on 10 hits, committed one error and left seven on base
> Robert Robinson and Jared Weber each recorded two hits
> LJ Bryant and Seyjuan Lawrence registered two RBIs apiece, both coming in the seven-run fifth inning
> Kyle Coleman (1-1) earned the win on the mound as he gave up four runs on five hits, fanned three and walked one in 5.1 innings
> Kelyn Fox worked 3.0 innings in relief, surrendering one run on three hits, struckout five and walked one
> Chandellor Benton earned his first save of the season in 0.2 innings of work, fanning the only two batters he faced
> Dayton finished with five runs on eight hits, committed a pair of errors and stranded seven on base
> Tate Hagan went 1-for-4, with three RBIs – all coming on a three-run homer in the sixth inning
> Alex Brickman and Marcos Pujols each registered a pair of hits
> Hunter Wolfe (0-1) took the loss as he was tagged for six runs (five earned) on five hits, struck out seven and walked three
> Justin Longbrake, R.J. Wagner and Bryce Hellgeth pitched in relief
Up Next
Florida A&M and Dayton will meet in Game 2 of the series on Saturday. First pitch for Fan Day is scheduled for 2 p.m. from Moore-Kittles Field.
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