Josh Hancock tossed six strong innings and Robert Robinson drove in a pair of runs as the Florida A&M University baseball team made it two straight with an 8-3 victory over Dayton on Saturday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.
Florida A&M (3-5) led from start-to-finish on Saturday and used a four-run eighth inning to pull away from Dayton.
How It Happened
Florida A&M struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab a quick 2-0 lead.
With one down in the frame, Octavien Moyer walked and advanced to second on an infield hit by Jared Weber. Tucker Rayburn followed with a single through the right side to plate Moyer and Weber came across to score on a base hit to right center by Tristen Cooper.
The Rattlers added a run in the second and third innings to take a 4-1 lead into the fourth.
Dayton (3-6) closed the gap to 4-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth and had the tying run at the plate in the sixth and seventh innings, but could not get a timely hit.
The Rattlers put the game away with a four-run eighth inning.
Cooper opened the frame with a base hit through the right side and advanced to second a sacrifice bunt by Seyjuan Lawrence. After a pitching change, Cirr-Nicholas Bohannon reached on a fielding error as Cooper stopped at third. Brad Hession followed with a sacrifice bunt single as Cooper scored. After a wild pitch, Robert Robinson singled through the left side as Bohannon scored.
The Flyers changed pitchers again and after a stolen base by Robinson, Moyer walked to load the bases. Hession scored on a wild pitch as the runners advanced a base. Weber grounded out to the shortstop as Robinson came across to score as Florida A&M extended its lead to 8-2.
Dayton got a run back in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the Rattlers claimed the series and will seek the series sweep on Sunday.
Inside the Numbers
> Florida A&M finished with eight runs on 11 hits and left nine on base
> Robert Robinson went 2-for-4, with two RBIs and one run scored to pace the FAMU offense
> Tristen Cooper, Seyjuan Lawrence and Grant Rowell each registered two hits, with Lawrence recording a pair of doubles
> Josh Hancock improved to 2-1 on the season as he gave up two runs on five hits, struck out a pair and walked three in six innings
> Morgan Mendez earned the save in relief as he pitched three innings, surrendering one run on two hits, fanned five and walked two
> Dayton finished with three runs on seven hits, committed three errors and stranded nine on base
> Benjamin Blackwell and Jay Curtis each registered a pair of hits
> Ben Olsen (0-1) took the loss as he was tagged for three runs on five hits, struck out two and walked on in 1.1 innings pitched
> Dylan Keller, Andrew Zapka, Kyle Lacalameto, Tyler Jones, Gavin Bates, Corey Imbriano and Jonathan Brus worked in relief
Up Next
Florida A&M closes out its three-game series with Dayton on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. from Moore-Kittles Field.
