THE HILL | The Alabama A&M University softball team dropped a close three-game series to the Florida A&M Rattlers, falling 8-6, 7-6, 6-4 over the weekend.

GAME ONE
The Rattlers struck first, after Ciara Maple tripled in their opening at-bat, before Jamison Townsend doubled down the infield line, allowing Maple to score. At the bottom of the second, FAMU put two on base after Samantha Smith and Keeleigh Spooner walked. Braxtyn Battle doubled, adding two RBIs. Kiauna Watson reached on an error by the third baseman, allowing Battle to add an unearned run as the Rattlers took a 4-0 lead.

The Bulldogs halved the Rattler lead at the top of the third Dakota Daniel walked and eventually scored when Ariana Montiel singled and advanced to second on the throw. Maria Paula Orospoma-Figueroa doubled to right field and Montiel ran home. Florida A&M added three more runs in the bottom of the inning, but AAMU added a pair in the next inning to stay in the game. Allyson Riches doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch . Katie Puckett flied out to left field but Riches scored in the process. Kayden Radcliff walked, advanced to second, then third on a passed ball, where she also scored, unearned.

Neither team scored in the next two frames, but FAMU added what became their final tally at the bottom of the fifth when Aniya Canty scored unearned from second after Delacia DeLeslin reached on an error by the shortstop. The Bulldogs attempted a comeback at the top of the seventh when Tori Green singled to center field, stole second and adavanced to third. Daniel added another walk before stealing second. Though Montiel grounded out to the pitcher, Green scored and Daniel advanced to third. Daniel added the final Bulldog run of the first game when she scored on a passed ball. The Rattlers claimed the opening contest 8-6.

GAME TWO
Similar to the first game, the Rattlers scored first when Maple singled, stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and crossed home plate after Amari Brown flied out to left field. At the top of the second, Puckett singled to right field. After entering to pinch run, Ki Davis advanced to second and third and scored when Tori Green grounded out to the pitcher. Natalie Picado, sitting at second base, scored when Daniel reached on an error and the Bulldogs took their first lead of the series.

Florida A&M quickly leveled the score at the bottom of the inning when Smith doubled to left field and advanced to third and then home after a pair of grounded out balls in the two following at-bats. Neither team could get anything going in the third, fourth or fifth innings, each only recording one hit between the three innings. The contest's winner came down to the seventh inning, with AAMU attacking first. Each plate was attached to a Maroon and White uniform after a pair of singles and a reach on a FAMU error. Daniel added another single to score Toni Purchas before Montiel walked, bringing Skylar Bledsoe around. Ocrospoma-Figueroa singled to left field, adding two RBI's and giving the Bulldogs a 6-2 advantage.

FAMU saw two batters walk before Maple singled to second base, loading all plates. Watson reached on a fielder's error, but Monroe Oglesby, who entered to pinch run for Spooner, was out at home. With the bases still loaded, Townsend doubled to center field, bringing all Rattlers home. With the contest coming down to one final bat, Brown homered to center field, scoring Townsend in the process, and grabbing a slim 7-6 victory over the Bulldogs.

GAME THREE
As in the two previous games, FAMU scored first when Maple crossed home plate after being hit by a pitch, advancing to second and third on two outs, and running home from a double play. After a single from Brianna Duggins, Brown scored as well, taking a 2-0 lead. It was not until the top of the fourth that the Bulldogs added notches in the run column. After a pair of outs, Riches was hit by a pitch and Puckett singled to center field. Heaven Bibbs followed suit and doubled to the same area, bringing both Riches and Puckett around. Destiny King singled to center field again, scoring Heaven Bibbs and giving the Bulldogs a slight advantage.

At the bottom of the inning, FAMU loaded the bases. Battle flied out to left field, but not before DeLeslin added a run to tie the contest. Watson singled to third base, adding two RBI's. Florida A&M doubled the Bulldog tally in the sixth inning after getting runners on second and third base and scoring when Brown singled to left field. At the top of the seventh, Daniel singled, stole second and advanced to third with two outs. She scored when Ocrospoma-Figueroa singled to center field, but it wasn't enough as the Rattlers claimed the game and the series with a 6-4 win.

UP NEXT
The Bulldogs return to The Hill to play their final home series of the regular season as they take on Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Alabama State on Friday and Saturday. The final game of the series will also serve as Senior Day, with recognition to commence 30 minutes prior to first pitch. All games will be streamed via Bulldogs All-Access.

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