Coming off a 13-5 win, FAMU came into game three of their series with Savannah State looking to win its second Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) series in two weekends.After three scoreless innings of play, the Rattlers drew first blood in the fourth thanks to an inside-the-park homerun to left center by John Capra.
Savannah State took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Jalen Atterbury drove in Freddie Landers with an infield single to the second baseman. Marcus Mitchell later walked with the bases loaded to force in Bryce Luken, making it a 2-1 game in favor of the Tigers.
FAMU answered with four runs in the top of the sixth. Kaycee Reese singled to center field and later scored on a single to left field by Jacky Miles. Bret Maxwell then drove in Brian Davis with a base hit to the shortstop, and Miles scored on a throwing error, giving the Rattlers a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the sixth.
The Tigers quickly answered in the bottom of the sixth. Khalyd Cox was the first base runner of the inning, as he doubled to left field with one out. Noah Orlando drove in Cox with a base hit to right, but right fielder Jordan Curtis threw out Turner Davis at home to keep the Rattlers ahead.
The Rattlers added an insurance run in the top of the eighth to make it a 5-3 game. John Capra led off the inning with a single to the left side, and advanced to second base on a passed ball. Bret Maxwell then moved him over to third with a sacrifice bunt, before a Ty Russ sacrifice fly to right scored Capra.
The insurance run was needed, as Savannah State cut into the Rattlers’ lead with a run in the eighth inning. Khalyd Cox reached base on a walk and stole second base. Marcus Mitchell then singled to left field to drive in Cox, making it a 5-4 game in favor of FAMU.
Florida A&M extended its lead to two runs again in the ninth. Jordan Curtis led off the inning with a base hit through the right side. After advancing to second on a groundout and advancing to third on a wild pitch, Curtis scored on a passed ball to give the Rattlers a 6-4 lead.
Dylan Carlson came into the game in the ninth, holding the Tigers scoreless for his second save of the season and a 6-4 win for FAMU. Ryan Anderson threw 4.1 innings of relief to get the win, while starting pitcher Dallas Oliver got a no-decision after throwing 3.2 innings, allowing two runs (none earned).
Caleb Hill was handed his second loss of the season for Savannah State, giving up three earned runs through 6.2 innings of work. Gregory Smith threw 2.1 innings in relief, giving up two runs (none earned).
Florida A&M is now 11-13 on the season and 4-2 in MEAC play. The team will hit the road again next weekend, visiting the Ospreys of University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.