TALLAHASSEE,FL (May 8) – The Florida A&M Rattlers closed their home season as they were defeated 13-3 and 13-4 by the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles, today in a double-header at Moore-Kittles Field.
Marlon Gibbs, Reginald Grant and Garrett Johnson punched one hit each to account for the only Rattler hits in the first game.
Mike Reeves went a perfect five-for-five from the plate for FGCU, scoring three runs. Brooks Beisner collected four hits for FGCU, also garnering three RBIs. Zack Tillery went deep with a home run to put the game away from the Rattlers.
Javon Johnakin got the start for the Rattlers, going four complete innings, allowing 12 hits, eight runs, three walks and carding two strikeouts. David Duncan came on in relief, going one inning, allowing four runs on five hits, while striking out two batters. Camer-on Sims closed out the game, going the last two innings, allowing four hits and one run in the nine batters he faced.
Brandon Bixler got the win for FGCU, going six innings, allowing just three hits, three runs, one walk and eight strikeouts. Clint Knoblauch came on in relief in the seventh in-ning, striking out two of the three batters he faced.
Game two would be more of the same for the Rattlers, as they were overpowered by the Eagles slugging.
The Rattlers were able to improve, collecting five hits in game two. Kelvin Singletary, Grant, Bennie Robinson, Bryce Farrar, Scott Sheplak and Aaron Smith carded hits for FAMU.
The Rattlers used five pitchers in the game, with the loss going to Brandon Fleming who started the game. Fleming lasted just one and two-third innings, giving up four hits, six runs, six walks and three strikeouts in the 16 batters he faced.
Zack Tillery got the win for the Eagles, as he went three innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and struck out three in the nine batters he faced.
The Rattlers will close out the 2013 season as they travel to Jackson, Mississippi to take on the Tigers of Jackson State University in a single game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
