TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (11-5, 3-0 MEAC) won its’ eighth straight game and competed the sweep of Bethune-Cookman (5-10, 0-3 MEAC) by a score of 5-3 at Moore-Kittles Field on Sunday afternoon. It marks the first time the Rattlers have swept B-CU since before 2000 and the first time the Wildcats were swept in a MEAC series in more than a decade. FAMU starting pitcher Chase Jarrell (2-1) pitched a great game and picked up the win as he tied a career high with six strikeouts. Jarrell allowed just two unearned runs in 7.2 innings of work. Alec Wong led the offense going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Dylan Dillard and Cameron Johnson added two RBIs a piece.
Hunter Fillingim earned his second save of the season as he recorded three strikeouts in the ninth inning after giving up a leadoff home run.
Bethune-Cookman scored first with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Akevious Williams led off with a single through the left side, stole second and advanced to third base on an errant throw to second before coming home to score on a sac fly from Michael Cruz for the early1-0 lead.
FAMU answered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead. Marlon Gibbs was hit-by-pitch and Wong singled through the right side to start the home half of the first inning. Ben Ellzey advanced both runners with a nice sac bunt and Dillard drew a walk to load the bases with one out. After Jacky Miles, Jr. popped out, Johnson drove in both Gibbs and Wong with a single to center field to give Florida A&M the lead.
The Rattlers increased the lead to 5-1 with three, two-out, runs in the second inning. With two outs, Gibbs was hit-by-pitch again, Wong singled and Ellzey walked to load the bases for the second straight inning. Dillard then came through with a two-run single through the left side, as Ellzey also was able to score when left fielder, Rakeem Quinn, bobbled the ground ball.
B-CU cut the lead to 5-2 with another unearned run in the eighth inninng. Kyle Corbin reached on a fielder’s choice and with one out came around to score as Williams ripped a single into center field. Willis McDaniel misplayed the ball, which allowed Corbin to score.
In the ninth inning, Rodriguez quickly cut the lead to 5-3 with a solo home run to lead off the top of the ninth. Fillingim was able to hold the scoring there, as he had three strikeouts in the inning to earn the save.
Wildcat starter Alex Seibold (0-3) took the loss after he allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits with two walks in 1.2 innings of work.
***FAMU Athletics
