The FAMU baseball team put together a complete effort Thursday night, as all nine starters reached base safely in a 14-4 rout of the Grambling Tigers. The offensive explosion, combined with strong pitching, improved the Rattlers’ record to 32-23 this season. The win was the Rattler's 13th consecutive win, and puts them one victory away from the SWAC championship game.
Pitching prowess
Sophomore left-hander Carson Kelly (6-1) secured the win in relief, tossing 3.2 innings with three runs allowed (two earned) and one strikeout. Senior starter Jesus Campa laid the foundation with 4.1 innings of one-run ball, scattering seven hits and fanning four.
Early firepower
The Rattlers struck first in the opening inning when freshman Jay Campbell launched a two-run homer, scoring junior William Brown. Grambling trimmed the deficit to 2-1, but FAMU broke open the game in the fifth. Senior Colton Ryals ignited a four-run rally with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 6-1.
Late-inning barrage
FAMU's offense erupted again in the seventh, plating five runs highlighted by junior Jordan Brown’s RBI single. After Grambling clawed back to 11-4, Ryals delivered the dagger in the eighth with a two-run blast, part of a three-run frame to seal the 14-4 victory.
Standout performances
Campbell shined with three hits, including his first-inning homer.
Ryals went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs, capping a stellar day.
Grambling’s Chris Marcellus drove in three runs with two doubles, but the Tigers struggled, going just 3-for-19 with runners in scoring position.
By the numbers
The Rattlers’ lineup thrived under pressure, hitting .615 (8-for-13) with runners in scoring position. Their 13 hits and seven walks overwhelmed Grambling’s pitchers, while FAMU’s staff held the Tigers to 11 groundouts and seven flyouts.
With the win, the Rattlers advance to the third round of the SWAC baseball tournament where they will play the winner of this mornings Southern vs Grambling game at 7pm EST tonight.