Miller’s grand slam lifts FAMU over UAPB to even series

Down three runs with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning, FAMU’s Ethan Miller stepped into the box with one thought: see the ball, and let the moment find him.

What followed was the swing that changed the game.

Miller launched a towering grand slam over the left-field wall, turning a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 lead and propelling the Rattlers to a gutsy comeback victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday afternoon. The win evened the weekend series at Torri Hines Field in Pine Bluff, Ak, one game apiece and gave FAMU (8-13 overall/ 3-2 SWAC) a shot at taking the rubber match Sunday.

“We never felt out of it,” said Miller, who finished 1-for-4 with a team-high four RBIs. “We knew if we kept putting guys on, we’d get our shot. I was just looking for something to drive.”

It didn’t look like it would be that kind of day early on. FAMU jumped ahead 2-0 in the first inning thanks to shaky UAPB defense—a theme that would later come back to haunt the Golden Lions. But Arkansas-Pine Bluff responded quickly, plating four runs in the second inning behind extra-base knocks from Blake Coleman and Zyon Hamilton.

The Rattlers’ offense went quiet for much of the middle innings, while UAPB tacked on another run to make it 5-2 heading into the seventh.

Then, with two outs, the floodgates opened.

Matthew Perez and Jackson McKenzie singled, Jay Campbell walked, and suddenly the bases were loaded. UAPB turned to reliever Jack Hasten, but Josue Figueroa worked a full-count walk to bring home a run and keep the inning alive.

That brought up Miller.

On a 1-1 fastball, he connected. The ball carried deep into the Arkansas air, and the FAMU dugout erupted as it cleared the fence.

“That’s baseball,” said head coach Jamey Shouppe. “One swing, one moment, it changes everything. Ethan stayed composed and got the pitch he wanted.”

From there, the Rattler bullpen took over. Ryan Young, who entered in the sixth, delivered 1⅔ strong innings, scattering three hits but stranding runners to earn his first collegiate win. Closer Tanner Walker shut the door over the final 1⅔, working around a hit and inducing a game-ending double play to lock down his first save of the year.

“We had to have that one,” Walker said. “The energy from the dugout after Ethan’s homer, we weren’t going to let it slip.”

Despite being outhit 12-5, FAMU capitalized on UAPB mistakes and clutch at-bats when it mattered most.  McKenzie went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, while Perez added an RBI and a sac bunt in a gritty performance.

The teams return to the field Sunday at 2 p.m. for the series finale.

“We showed fight today,” Shouppe said. “Now we have to finish.”