Opening Day: FAMU baseball falls short in extra inning to Eastern Illinois
TALLAHASSEE, FL ― The Florida A&M Rattlers fell 8-7 in a 10-inning matchup to the Eastern Illinois Panthers Friday.
Sophomore Caleb Granger (0-1) took the loss on the mound for FAMU (0-1).
Senior Jared Weber led the way offensively for the Rattlers, going 2-for-5 in the ballgame with two home runs and five RBI.
Senior Ty Hanchey provided a standout effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a home run, two walks and an RBI.
Junior Ty Jackson also contributed, going 2-for-5 for FAMU with a walk.
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How it happened
Trailing 2-0, the Rattlers first put runs on the board in the third inning. FAMU hit two home runs in the inning on the way to scoring four runs.
The Panthers then rallied to score three runs and take a 5-4 lead before the Rattlers got back on the board in the fifth. FAMU scored twice on Weber's two-run homer, which brought the Rattlers lead to 6-5.
FAMU's lead had disappeared once the ninth inning came around and turned into a 7-6 EIU advantage, when the Rattlers tied up the game at seven. EIU then scored one time over the remaining one inning to break the tie and grab the 8-7 win.
Rattler Track and Field medals at SWAC Championships
The FAMU track and field program is returning home with championship hardware – two pieces of gold, three pieces of silver, and two bronze – after a wildly successful day (Feb. 17) at the Southwestern Athletic Conference Indoor Championships.The Rattlers' men's and women's teams both placed sixth overall, and Alabama State was crowned champion.
Dajon Clark clocked his fastest 60-meter dash in 6.69, and not only was it a collegiate best, it also earned the senior a silver medal (his first podium finish at the SWAC Championships). He doubled down, becoming a two-time medalist, after leaping a first-place 7.32 meters in the long jump.
The accolades seemed to roll in from there.
By now, Rattler Nation should be pretty familiar with Teleda Williams. The TCU transfer joined the team this season and has podiumed in every meet thus far. She wraps her indoor campaign with bronze medals in the 200 (24.53) and 400 (55.67) meter dashes, and a silver medal in the 4x400 relay (3:48.56).
Kiara Ivy, the SWAC's reining indoor and outdoor pole vault champion, successfully defended her title with a PR of 3.71 meters. Pache' Caldwell also posted a collegiate best with a second-place finish in the high jump (2.10m).
FAMU will have a month to prepare for the 2023 outdoor season, which begins with the USF Invite on March 17.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Baseball: Rattlers falter to EIU on Opening Day
