FAMU baseball rallies late from tie for win over Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH ― The Florida A&M Rattlers broke through after a 4-4 tie in the seventh inning to take down the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 7-5 Friday.

Senior Zach Morea (3-0) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for FAMU (13-13, 7-0 SWAC). The right-hander went 3.2 innings, giving up one run on three hits, allowing one walk and striking out two.

Junior Joseph Pierini led the way offensively for the Rattlers, going 1-for-3 in the ballgame with a home run, a walk and three RBI. Junior Ty Jackson provided a noteworthy performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI. Senior Jared Weber also helped out, going 2-for-5 for FAMU with an RBI.

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How it happened

The Rattlers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. FAMU plated a run on a based-loaded walk by Pierini.

The Wildcats then tied the ballgame at one before the Rattlers came back to reclaim their advantage in the second inning. FAMU brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Weber's single, which brought the score to 3-1 in favor of the Rattlers.

FAMU's lead had disappeared by the time the fifth inning came around and turned into a 4-3 Bethune-Cookman advantage, when the Rattlers tied up the game at four.

The game remained tied until the eighth inning, when FAMU got rolling again on offense. The Rattlers scored twice on Pierini's two-run homer, bringing the FAMU advantage to 6-4.

The Rattlers held Bethune-Cookman without a run before expanding their lead to 7-4 the following inning. Jackson came across to score the lone run of the inning for FAMU and get them on the board. Bethune-Cookman put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but the Rattlers still held on for the 7-5 win.

FAMU softball never trails in blowout win against Mississippi Valley

TALLAHASSEE ― The FAMU Rattlers took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 13-3 win against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes on Friday.

Senior Nadia Zenteno (5-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for FAMU (13-14, 6-4 SWAC). The right-hander went five innings, giving up three runs, all of them earned, on five hits, allowing one walk and striking out three.

In the batter's box, the Rattlers were led by senior Jania Davis, who went 2-for-2 on the day with a walk and two RBI. Senior Melkayla Irvis furnished a noteworthy performance at the dish as well, going 0-for-0 with three walks. Freshman Neriah Lee also helped out for FAMU, putting together one hit in one trip to the plate while adding an RBI.

How it Happened

The Rattlers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the bottom the first inning with the game still scoreless. FAMU's offense had a good inning, putting three runs on the scoreboard.

The Rattlers then lost some of their lead, expanding on their advantage in the second inning after the Delta Devilettes cut it to 3-1. The FAMU offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Davis, which brought the score to 8-1 in favor of the Rattlers.

FAMU held Mississippi Valley State scoreless before building their lead to 12-1 the following inning. The Rattlers bats heated up in the inning, scoring four runs, including a one-run groundout off the bat of senior Da'Ondalyn Simmons.

The Delta Devilettes gained ground, closing the gap to 12-3 until FAMU added some insurance in the fourth. The Rattlers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Lee, bringing the FAMU advantage to 13-3. The score remained 13-3 for the rest of the game, as the Rattlers coasted to the win.

FAMU track competes in three events to start Pepsi Relays

GAINESVILLE ― Robert Hampton left day one of the Florida Pepsi Relays (March 31) with a new personal record in the men's 200-meters, as the graduate sprinter crossed the finish line in 21.58 to highlight action for the FAMU track and field program.

The Rattlers competed in two other events Friday (March 31), the long jump and 4x100 relay, and will return to James G. Pressly Stadium Saturday. The Pepsi Florida Relays will be live streamed on SEC+ beginning at 12:55 p.m. ET.

Pepsi Relays (Athlete | Mark/Time | Finish)

200 MetersRobert Hampton | 21.58 | 34/47Markez Sermons | 22.45 | 47/47

Long JumpDajon Clark | 7.31m (23' 11.75") | 8/10

4x100Zakharia Frett, Teleda Williams, Shaniya Berry, Lauryn Hall | 45.51 | 13/17Jaydon Sanford, Dajon Clark, Brandon Love, Robert Hampton | 41.31 | 13/13

FAMU tennis looks to clinch top seed in SWAC Tournament in match against Bethune-Cookman

TALLAHASSEE –– FAMU tennis has had a dominant conference season in 2023 and looks to continue their dominance Saturday, April 1, as they host rivals Bethune-Cookman with a chance to secure the one-seed in the SWAC Tournament.

The Rattlers also look to pick up their first home win of the season in their final home match of the season.

With a win, the Rattlers will clinch the one-seed in the 2023 SWAC Tournament but will need to win the make-up game versus Prairie View A&M on April 11 or Jackson State to lose a match to claim sole possession of the Regular Season SWAC Championship.

Match Details

Date: Saturday, April 1, 2023

Time: 1 p.m. Eastern

Where: Althea Gibson Tennis Complex

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: A look around what happened in FAMU athletics on March 31, 2023