TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Alabama A&M University baseball team opened its three-game Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series on Friday and held a one-run lead going into the bottom of the seventh, but Florida A&M used a three-run inning to grab the lead as the Rattlers won the series opener, 11-9, at Moore-Kittles Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Alabama &AM 7-29 overall, 4-12 SWAC) got the scoring started in the top of the first.
Dre Amaral began the game with a double to left center and advanced to third on a
Brycen Hammonds base hit through the left side. Tristian Curless brought Amaral in to score on a sacrifice fly to right and Hammonds came across on a
Jesus Riera single to center as the Bulldogs grabbed a quick 2-0 lead.
Florida A&M (19-18, 14-2) responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs, tying the game at 2 and picked up a run in the second for a 3-2 lead.
Back came the Bulldogs in the third with two runs and the Rattlers answered with a run in the bottom of the frame as the two teams were tied at four after three innings.
In the fourth, Amaral opened the frame with a single and came across on a Hammonds two-run homer to left as Alabama A&M grabbed a 6-4 lead.
The Bulldogs added a run in the fifth, extended the advantage to 7-4.
However, back came FAMU, with three runs in the fifth, tying the game at 7.
AAMU plated two runs in the sixth, but that would be the last time the Bulldogs led as Florida A&M scored one run in the bottom of the frame and three more in the seventh for the 11-9 victory.
GAME NOTES
- Alabama A&M finished with nine runs on 12 hits, had one error and left nine on base
- Dre Amaral went 4-for-5, with two runs scored and one double and one RBI
- Brycen Hammonds went 3-for-5, with one home run, three runs scored and drove in two
- Jared Tribett also collected two hits
- Anthony Mateo started, giving up two runs on two hits, with one strikeout in 1.0 innings
- Charlie Lazo, Kobe Stokes, Trey Scott (1-2) and Roman Sorrell pitched in relief
- Florida A&M finished with 11 runs on eight hits, committed one error and stranded 10 on base
- Jankikell Bastardo went 2-for-4, with three RBI and two runs scored
- Caleb Granger surrendered six runs on seven hits, with four walks and three strikeouts in 3.0 innings
- Andrew Ginther (2-1) picked up the win and Grant Harrison added a save in relief
UP NEXT
Alabama A&M continues its three-game SWAC series on Saturday at Florida A&M. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. (central time) from Moore-Kittles Field.
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