CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Florida A&M (24-15, 14-4 MEAC) took a 3-1 lead into the fourth inning, but No. 4 Miami (31-8, 14-5 ACC) scored 12 unanswered runs over the final four innings on its’ way to a 13-3 win at Alex Rodriguez Park on Friday night. Brian Davis went 4-for-5 at the plate for the Rattlers with an RBI and a run scored, while Ben Ellzey added a 2-for-4 day with his second home run of the season and two RBI. FAMU recorded 12 hits on the night for its’ 23rd game of the season with 10 or more hits.
Ricky Page (3-3) took the loss after allowing a career-high seven runs (four earned) on five hits with four strikeouts, two walks and two wild pitches.
FAMU scored first on a two-run home run in the second inning by Ellzey. Davis singled into right center to lead off the inning and Ellzey followed with his second home run of the season, a two-run blast to left field, which gave the Rattlers the early lead.
UM answered with a single run in the bottom of the second inning to cut the lead to 2-1. Johnny Ruiz led off with a double down the left line and Jacob Heyward reached on a bunt single as runners were now on the corners with no outs. Ruiz would then score from third for the Hurricanes first run of the game as Edgar Michelangeli grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.
The Rattlers pushed their lead back to two runs, at 3-1, with a run in the third inning. Dylan Dillard drew a one-out walk and Jacky Miles, Jr. singled into center field to put runners on first and second. Davis then dropped in an RBI single to left field that brought home Dillard from second base.
Miami took the lead for good at 4-3 with three runs on one hit in the fourth inning. Brandon Lopez reached on a strikeout-wild pitch with one out, while Ruiz and Jacob followed with back-to-back walks to load the bases. Lopez would score on a wild pitch with Ruiz and Heyward advancing to second and third. Michelangeli then grounded out to short to bring home Ruiz for the tying run. The Hurricanes grabbed their first lead of the game as Willie Abreu doubled home Heyward with a ball into the left center gap.
The Hurricanes added three unearned runs in fifth inning to increase their lead to 7-3. Two runs scored on a three-base error by Willis McDaniel, on a deep fly ball to center field from Ruiz, and Heyward had an RBI single in the inning.
For UM in the sixth inning, Carl Chester hit his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left field, to push the Canes lead to 9-3.
Miami added a single run in the seventh and three runs in the eighth inning for the final score of 13-3.
Thomas Woodrey (5-3) picked up the win as he pitched six innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts, three walks and one wild pitch.
Florida A&M and Miami will continue their three-game series on Saturday at 7:00 PM at Alex Rodriguez Park. The game will be televised live on ESPN3. JoJo Durden (1-0, 3.51 ERA) will get the start for the Rattlers and face the Hurricanes Michael Mediavilla (7-1, 3.57 ERA).
As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook.
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