CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Florida A&M (24-16, 14-4 MEAC) scored single runs in the eighth and ninth innings and No. 4 Miami (32-8, 14-5 ACC) used a seven-run fifth inning to down the Rattlers by a score of 11-2 at Alex Rodriguez Park on Saturday night. Willis McDaniel tied a season-high with three hits as he went 3-for-4 out of the nine-hole in the batting order for FAMU. Ryan Hutson and Dylan Dillard each had an RBI to help account for the Rattler scoring.
Junior RHP Sawyer Betts made his return to the mound for Florida A&M for the first time since February 27th, as he pitched a scoreless eighth inning with one strikeout.
JoJo Durden (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season as he made the start for FAMU. Durden worked 4.1 innings, while allowing a season-high eight runs (seven earned) on a season-high eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks.
Miami scored two quick runs (one earned) in the bottom of the first inning. Carl Chester led off with a walk and stole second with one out before coming around to score on an RBI single to right field from Brandon Lopez. Lopez also stole second and a throwing error trying to catch Lopez at second by Brian Davis allowed Lopez to advance to third. Johnny Ruiz would then plate Lopez for the second run of the inning with a sac fly to left field.
The Hurricanes put two more runs on the board in the fourth inning to increase their lead to 4-0. Lopez led off with his second single of the game and Ruiz followed with a walk to place runners at first and second. Still with no outs, a bunt single from Jacob Heyward loaded the bases before Edgar Michelangeli plated Lopez from third with a sac fly to center field. Now with runners on the corners, Heyward was caught stealing second base for the second out and Ruiz later came home on an RBI single up the middle from Willie Abreu.
UM used a seven-run fifth inning to put the game out of reach at 11-0. The Hurricanes sent 12 batters to the plate in the inning and recorded eight hits as the Rattlers used four different pitchers in the inning.
The Rattlers were able to avoid the shutout with a single run in the eighth inning to make the score 11-1. McDaniel singled to left field with one out, but was later out at second as Marlon Gibbs reached on a fielder’s choice. Alec Wong then doubled into right center to put runners on second and third with two outs. McDaniel then scored the Rattlers first run of the game on an RBI single from Dillard as he beat the throw to first base.
Florida A&M scored on more run in the ninth inning for the final score of 11-2. Ben Ellzey singled to left field with one out and Keith Stevens recorded his first hit of the season, a double off the wall in left field, to place runners at second and third. Ellzey would then score from third on a sac fly to center field from Hutson.
Michael Mediavilla (8-1) pitched five scoreless innings and threw only 73 pitches in the win. Mediavilla gave up just three hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
\The Rattlers and Hurricanes close out the series on Sunday at 1:00 PM at Alex Rodriguez Park. The game will be televised live on ESPN3. Chase Jarrell (5-2, 5.36 ERA) will get the start for the Rattlers and face Miami starter Danny Garcia (6-3, 2.48 ERA).
***Courtesy FAMU Athletics
