TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (8-5) used a seven-run third inning and two, two-run, home runs from Dylan Dillard to defeat Toledo (1-10-1) by a score of 12-4 at Moore-Kittles Field on Tuesday. FAMU had six extra base hits in the game as the offense tallied 12 hits in the win. Rattler starter Ryan Anderson (1-1) earned his first win of the season after he worked five innings and allowed one run on two hits with three strikeouts.
Marlon Gibbs (2-for-3) hit his second home run of the season, while Dillard (2-for-5), Brian Davis (2-for-3) and Shane Gordon (2-for-2) all had multi-hit games for the Rattlers.
Gibbs led off the home half of the first inning with a home run to left, on a 2-2 count, to give the Rattlers an early 1-0 lead.
The Rockets tied the game at 1-1 with a single run in the top of the second inning. Dalton Bollinger was hit-by-pitch and advanced to third on a hit-and-run as Dan Zuchowski singled to right field. Bollinger later scored as Jake Krupar grounded out to the pitcher to tie the game at 1-1.
FAMU erupted for seven runs on seven hits, including four extra base hits, and sent 11 batters to the plate in the third inning to put the game out of reach at 8-1. Gibbs reached on an infield single with one out and came around to score on an RBI double down the left line from Alec Wong. Ben Ellzey followed with another double, this time to right center, to plate Wong for the second run of the inning. Dillard then belted his first home run of the season, a two-run shot, over the fence in left field. Davis also doubled, moved to third on a passed ball and came home to score on an RBI single through the left side from Gordon. Gordon advanced all the way to third on a failed pickoff attempt as an errant throw from the pitcher went into foul territory. AJ Elkins was walked and a passed ball moved both runners to second and third before Peter Jackson’s two-run single scored both Gordon and Elkins.
The Rattlers picked up another run in the fifth inning as Davis scored on a bases loaded walk to Gibbs to extend their lead to 9-1. Davis led off with a single that dropped into left field and with two outs Elkins singled, while Jackson walked to load the bases. Gibbs then walked on five pitches to plate Davis from third for the only run of the inning.
In the sixth inning, Dillard crushed his second home run of the game; another two-run shot, to push the FAMU lead to 11-1.
Toledo would score single runs in each of the last three innings, including an unearned run in the eighth inning for the final score of 12-4.
Rocket starter Alex Wagner (0-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing six runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work.
Florida A&M opens conference play this weekend at home against rival Bethune-Cookman. The two teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday and a close out the series on Sunday, also at 1:00 PM.
As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook.
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