ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – Florida A&M (22-13, 12-3 MEAC) dropped the rubber match game against Bethune-Cookman (16-21, 9-6 MEAC) by a score of 7-5 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon. The Rattlers rallied from a 4-0 deficit to tie the game at 4-4 in the fourth inning, but was unable to hold on as the Wildcats scored three more in the sixth inning. Marlon Gibbs was 2-for-2 with an RBI double for the FAMU offense.
Rattler reliever Chase Jarrell (4-2) took the loss as he pitched 3.1 innings and allowed three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Jarrell allowed the go-ahead run in the sixth inning.
B-CU picked up two quick runs in the home half of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Rakeem Quinn struck out to start the game, but the pitch got away allowing Quinn to reach first base. Quinn then stole both second and third before coming home on an RBI single through the right side from Jameel Edney. Edney would advance to third on another single through the right, this time from Michael Cruz. Clay Middleton then plated Edney with an RBI single through the right side.
The Wildcats added two more runs in the second inning to increase their lead to 4-0. Demetrius Sims led off with a walk and went to third on a single up the middle from Quinn, while Quinn took second on the throw in to third base. With two outs, Cruz was intentionally walked to load the bases before Danny Rodriguez’s two-run single through the left side put Bethune-Cookman up by four runs.
FAMU was able to get on the board with one run in the third inning to cut the Bethune lead to 4-1. Willis McDaniel drew a four-pitch walk to start the inning and went to third on a double to left from Alec Wong. McDaniel later came home from third for the Rattlers’ first run of the game on an RBI groundout from Ben Ellzey.
The Rattlers would rally to tie the game at 4-4 with three runs in the fourth inning. Jacky Miles, Jr. and Cameron Johnson drew back-to-back walks to open the frame and Gibbs followed with an RBI double into the left center gap. Now with runners on second and third with no outs, Ryan Hutson plated Johnson from third with a sac fly to left field and Gibbs went to third on the play. Gibbs was caught in a rundown at third for the second out as McDaniel reached on a fielder’s choice and was able to advance to second during the rundown with Gibbs. After Wong was walked with two outs to place runners on the corners, Wong stole second and errant throw to second base by the catcher trying to catch Wong allowed McDaniel to come home for the tying run.
Bethune-Cookman regained the lead for good at 7-4 with three runs in the sixth inning. Sims led off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a sac bunt from Josten Heron. Quinn then walked to put runners on first and second before Edney cleared the bases with a double down the left line. Rodriguez then scored Edney with another double down the left line off reliever Tyler Reker.
In the top of the ninth inning, FAMU was able to cut into the lead with one run for the final score of 7-5. Wong drew a leadoff walk and Ellzey followed with a single through the left side. Davis then reached on a fielder’s choice as he beat out the throw to first on a potential double play ball. Wong came around to score on the play as the ball got away from the first baseman. With one out and Davis at first, Dylan Dillard ripped a liner back at the pitcher who made a great grab and doubled up Davis at first base to end the game.
B-CU reliever Donte Lindsay (3-3) earned the win after working four innings and allowed just one unearned run on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts. Joseph Calamita came in to pitch the ninth inning and earn his second save of the weekend.
Florida A&M returns to action next weekend at home against Savannah State for a three-game series. The Rattlers and Tigers will play a doubleheader on Saturday, April 23, beginning at 1:00 PM with the series finale coming on Sunday, April 24, at 1:00 PM. Saturday’s game one and Sunday’s game will be carried locally in Tallahassee on WTAL 1450 AM radio.
As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Live Stats are also available on the baseball schedule page of FAMUAthletics.com.
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