TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 9) – Mercer University scored 10 runs in the
first four innings on their way to a 13-3 non-conference college
baseball victory over Florida A&M University at Moore-Kittles Field
Tuesday afternoon.

Mercer (10-4) finished the day with 12 hits, led by third baseman Jacob
Tanis, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI, followed by Billy Burns, Michael
Langley and Evan Boyd with two hits apiece.

Bears’ pitcher J.T. Odom (1-1) was the winning pitcher, striking out
four batters and pitching two scoreless innings in relief of starter
Jacob Matthews who worked the first four innings, allowing two runs on
four hits.

FAMU (3-6-1) had seven hits led by third baseman Derrick Shaw with
three hits and two run scored. Starter Eric Cotton (0-2) took the loss,
allowing six runs on three hits in three innings of work, with one
strikeout and seven walks.

Mercer took a 4-0 lead in the top of the first, with Tanis hitting a
two-run single with the bases loaded for a 2-0 count, before Thomas
Carroll singled in Tanis with the Bears’ third run. Carroll scored
later on a ground out by Nick DiMauro to end the scoring.

The Bears increased their lead to 10-0, scoring six runs in the top of
the fourth on four hits, with a two-run single to left by Tanis the key
blow for Mercer.

FAMU pushed across two runs in the bottom of the fourth on Mercer
miscues. Derrick Shaw, who reached on a single, scored from third on a
passed ball, then Daniel lee later scored on a fielding error by
Mercer’s Michael Langley, making the score, 10-2.

Mercer scored three runs on two hits in the sixth, extending their lead
to 13-2, keyed by Evan Boyd’s run-scoring double.

In the eighth, FAMU’s Randon Pinkney’s RBI single drove home Shaw with
the Rattlers’ final run.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers continue their week-long homestand Wednesday
against Albany (Ga.) State University at 3:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles
Field. Friday, the Alcorn (Miss.) State Braves come to town for a 1:00
p.m. single game, then Savannah (Ga.) State comes in for a two-game
weekend series beginning Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 6)  -  Tobi Adeyemi’s RBI single in the bottom of the ninth scored Daniel Lee as the Florida A&M University Baseball team rallied past Jackson State 11-10, here Saturday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (3-4-1) tallied a game high 17 hits, while JSU (2-6) finished with 10 hits.

The Rattlers were paced by Adeyemi, who went five-for-six from the plate with five RBI’s, and scoring two runs, while the Tigers were led by Braneric Holmes, who went three-for-five from the plate  with four RBI’s and scoring three runs.

Tobias Lee (1-0) picked up the win for FAMU, allowing two hits, one earned run and striking out two in three and one-third innings of relief.

Cortney Nelson took the loss for JSU, allowing seven hits, five earned runs and striking out six in four and one-third innings of relief.

The Rattlers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Darryl Evans scored on a Jimmie Terrell single.

Holmes tied the game at 1-1 for the Tigers in the top of the second inning as he scored on a Louis Mila ground out to first base.

In the bottom of the second inning, FAMU took a 3-1 lead as Scott Sheplak homered to left field and Jared Jeffries scored on an Adeyemi single up the middle.

Willie Wesley scored on a Rattler infielder’s error, followed Charles Mustafaa single scoring Cortez Cole, tying the game at 3-3 for the Tigers in the top of the third.

FAMU regained the lead 4-3 on an Adeyemi homer in the bottom of the fourth, before the Tigers took a  6-4 lead over the Rattlers in the top of the fifth as both Frank Solis and Mustafaa scored on a Holmes double to right field, Holmes would score later on a wild pitch.

Derrick Shaw cut JSU’s lead to 6-5 as he scored on a balk in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Both Trae Rutland and Cole scored in the top of the sixth inning on a Holmes double, giving the Tigers an 8-5 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, an Adeyemi RBI single scored Reginald Grant, and then Jeffries would score on an Evans sacrifice fly to center field.  Then Adeyemi  scored on a Shaw single, tying the game at 8-8.     

FAMU would scored to more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to  grab a 10-8 lead, but JSU would tied the game at 10-10 as they picked up a run in the top of eighth and ninth innings.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, a single by Adeyemi scoring Lee would give the Rattlers the 11-10 win.

FAMU will return to action on Tuesday as they will take on Mercer University in a single game on Tuesday, March 9 at Moore-Kittles Field in a 1 p.m. start.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Feb. 26)  - The Florida A&M University Baseball team picked up their first win of the season as they defeated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foe Delaware State, 8-6 in non conference action in their first game of the SSU Baseball Classic, here Friday afternoon at Tiger Field.
 
FAMU (1-3) finished the a game high 12 hits with Derrick Shaw finishing three –for-four from the plate with two RBIs, while scoring one run.
 
DSU (2-2) finished with two hits with Brandon Crist leading the way with a team high two hits.
 
Miguel Parga (1-1) picked up the win for the Rattlers, allowing two hits, three earned runs, and striking out two in six innings of work, while Steven Dollar (1) picked up his first save of the season giving up two hits in three innings of work.
 
Zack Adkins (1-1) received the loss for the Hornets allowing ten hits, six earned runs and striking out six in five innings of work.  
 
Keith Hernandez gave DSU a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as he scored on a Ryan Haas fielder’s choice.
 
FAMU regain the lead in the bottom of the first innings as both Darryl Evans and Toby Adeyemi scored on a Shaw double, giving the Rattler a 2-1 lead.
 
The Hornets took the lead in the top of the third as Hernandez scored on a Tony Gatto sacrifice fly to left field.  Then both Haas and Mike Rizzuto would score on a FAMU infielder’s error, giving DSU a 4-2 lead.
 
Adeyemi cut the Hornet’s lead to 4-3 as he scored on a Shaw single in the bottom of the  third inning.
 
 FAMU recaptured the lead in the bottom of the fourth  as Steve Cunningham scored on a Jared Jeffries double, then Jeffries would score on an Adeyemi single, giving the Rattlers a 5-4 lead.
 
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Mykel Benson would hit into a fielder’s choice scoring Shaw, making the score 6-4 in favor of the Rattlers.
 
Both Jose Portela and Crist would score in the top of the sixth inning to tie game at 6-6 for the Hornets, with Portela scoring on a lead off homer and Crist scoring on a passed ball.
 
Cunningham gave FAMU a 7-6 in the bottom the seventh inning as he scored on an Adeyemi sacrifice bunt.
 
The Rattlers scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the 8-6 win as Elliott Bonner scored on an Adeyemi fielder’s choice.
 
FAMU will conclude the SSU Classic in a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27 as they will take on Savannah State at 11 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. bought with Norfolk State at Tiger Field.

SAVANNAH, Ga. (Feb. 27)  - The Florida A&M University Baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to rally past Savannah State 16-14, here Saturday in the SSU Classic at Tiger Field.
 
FAMU (2-3) punched out 13 hits with Darryl Evans finishing with a team high three hits.
 
SSU (1-5) finished with a game high 15 hit with both Julius Green and Dexter Kelley, both finishing with three hits each.
 
Steven Dollar (1-1) picked up the win for the Rattlers, allowing three hits and striking four in four and one-third scoreless innings in relief.
 
Michael Allegretti (0-2) took the loss for the Tigers as he gave up eight hits, four earned runs and striking out six in four innings.  
 
Jarred Jeffries gave the Rattlers an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as he scored on an Evans’ ground out to second.
 
The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the first as Darien Campbell scored on a Dexter Kelley double, then Kelley would score on a wild pitch, giving the SSU a 2-1 lead.
 
Stavonne Martin would tie the game at 2-2 as he scored on a wild pitch in the top of the second inning.
 
SSU would convert five hits and one FAMU error to plate six runs in the bottom of the second innings, to take an 8-2 lead.
 
In the top of the third inning, the Rattlers would push across four runs to cut the Tigers’ lead to 8-6 as Jeffries scored on a SSU infielder’s error, followed by Elliott Bonner scoring on a balk.   Then both Evans and Shaw would score as Evans scored on a wild pitch and Shaw scoring on a Scott Sheplak ground out to third base.
 
The Tigers would take an 11-6 lead in the bottom of the third inning as Campbell, Green and Dondreguis Jackson would score on a Kelly double to center field.
 
FAMU plated three more runs in the top of the fourth inning as Justin Abney homered to leadoff the inning.  Both Jeffries and Bonner would score as Jeffries scored on an error and Bonner scoring on an Evans single, cutting SSU’s lead to 11-9.
 
Kevin Herlihy added to the Tigers’ lead in the bottom of the fourth as he scored on a Jackson ground out to the pitcher, making the score 12-9 in favor of the SSU.
 
The Rattlers cut the Tigers lead to 12-11 in the top of the fifth inning as both Mykel Benson and Jeffries scored on a passed ball.
 
Both Kelley and Matthew Nowacki would score the Tigers final runs in the bottom of the fifth inning with Kelley scoring on a Brandon Webster single and Nowacki scoring on a bases loaded walk, giving SSU a 14-11 lead.
 
But FAMU would cut SSU’s lead to 14-13 as they scored a run in the top of the seventh and another run in the top of the eighth.
 
In the top of the ninth inning, the Rattlers would score three runs as Jeffries would score a bases loaded walk.  Then Martin would ground out to the short stop scoring Evans, followed by a John Scott single up the middle that would score Shaw to give the Rattlers a 16-14, win over Tigers.  

SAVANNAH, Ga. ( Feb. 27) –  After eight complete innings of play, the Florida A&M University Baseball game against Norfolk State was called due to darkness with the Rattlers and Spartans ending in a 12-12 tie, here Saturday evening at Tiger Field.
 
FAMU (2-3-1) finished with game high 13 hits with both Jared Jeffries and Tobi Adeyemi finishing with three hits each.
 
NSU (1-3-1) tallied 12 hits with Brandon Hairston leading the way with three hits.
 
The Rattlers took a 9-0 lead after two complete innings of play by scorning one run in the bottom of the first and eight runs in the bottom of the second inning.
 
John Lynch would score on a bases loaded walk to cut the Rattlers lead to 9-1 in the top of the third inning.
 
NSU would score three runs in their half of the fourth, fifth and seventh inning to take a 10-9 lead after six and one-half innings of play.
 
FAMU would tie the game at 10-10 in the bottom of the seventh inning as Derrick Shaw scored on a bases loaded hit-by-pitch.
 
But the Spartan would take a 12-10 lead in the top of the eighth inning as Hairston homered to lead off the inning, followed by a TiQuan Griffin sacrifice fly scoring Cameron Parsons.
 
The Rattlers would score two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Jeffries scored on a Spartan infielder’s error. Then an Adeyemi would score on a Shaw sacrifice sly to center field for the 12-12 tie.
 
FAMU will return to action on Tuesday, March 2 as they will host Mercer University in a single game at Moore-Kittles Field in a 4 p.m. start.   

The 4 p.m baseball game against the Mercer University Bears has been postponed due to the weather.  Check back for updates about the re-scheduling.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 20)  - The Florida A&M University Baseball team dropped a 16-1 decision to Ohio State in their second game of the UNF Baseball Classic, here Saturday afternoon at Dusty Rhodes Field at Harmon Stadium.
 
FAMU (0-2) finished with eight hits with Jared Jeffries and Stavone Martin both finishing with two hits each.
 
OSU (2-0) finished the game with 16 hits with Michael Stephens finishing with four hits.
 
Brett McKinley (1-0) picked up the win for the Buckeyes as gave up four hits and struck out eight in five innings of work, while Heath Blackburn (0-1) took the loss for the Rattlers, allowing seven hits and striking out three in six innings of work.
 
Cory Kovanda, who tripled to lead off the bottom of the first, would score on a Dan Burkhart ground out to the first basemen, giving OSU a 1-0 lead.
 
The Buckeyes added to their lead in the bottom of the third as Ross Griffin scored on a wild pitch, followed by Zach Hurley scoring on a Michael Stephens up the middle, giving the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead.
 
Brad Halbert led off the bottom of the fourth inning with homer, followed by a Hurley double to left field scoring Griffin, increasing the Buckeyes’ lead to 5-0.
 
FAMU cut OSU’s lead to 5-1 as Daniel Lee scored on a Buckeye infielder’s error in the top of the seventh inning.
 
OSU would plate nine runs in the bottom of the seventh inning and two more runs in the bottom of the eighth for the 16-1 final.
 
WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers will conclude the UNF Baseball Classic as they will take host team UNF Sunday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Feb. 19) - The Richmond baseball team exploded for 10 runs in the second inning as the Spiders rolled past Florida A&M, 23-1, Friday in the first game of the North Florida Classic.

FAMU (0-1) had six hits in their 2010 season opener on Friday, as Tobi Adeyemi and former Rattler tight end Mykel Benson each rapped out two hits, while Darryl Evans and Oscar Santola each adding a double each to the Rattler hit total.

Benson accounted for the Rattlers’ only run when he belted a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Richmond (1-0) scored their 23 runs on 11 hits, aided by 16 walks issued by FAMU pitching Friday afternoon.

Miguel Parga (0-1) was the starter for FAMU, allowing 10 runs in an inning and a third. He issued six walks and had one strikeout, allowing four hits before being lifted in the second.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU will take on Ohio State on Saturday, Feb. 20, then close out the UNF Classic on Sunday against host North Florida.

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Jan. 6) - Former FAMU and pro baseball star outfielder Andre Dawson has been selected to the 2010 Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Class announced today.

Dawson, who will be enshrined during ceremonies in Cooperstown, N.Y. on July 25, will be the only player inducted this year.

The Miami, Florida native was a standout player at FAMU under legendary baseball coach Costa “Pop” Kittles from 1973 to 1975.

Rattler Field, at the time Dawson was playing at
FAMU, was located at the current site of the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center. Dawson, who was known for slugging home runs all the way across Wahnish Way to the Gaither Athletic Center, led the Rattlers in home runs, hits, doubles and runs batted in as a sophomore and junior (1974, 1975).

Dawson, who was drafted by the Montreal Expos following his junior year at FAMU in 1975, spent 11 of his 21 major league seasons with the Expos (now the Washington Nationals), winning National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1977.

He also played professionally with the Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins, where he now serves as Special Assistant to Marlins’ president David P. Samson.

Dawson left Montreal, signing as a free agent with the Chicago Cubs, during the “Collusion Era,” when major league owners were found guilty of attempting to pay less than fair market value to prime free agents.

He signed a blank contract with the Cubs in 1987, then went on to win the National League MVP Award after crushing 49 home runs and driving in 137 runs. He was also selected to the 1987 National League All-Star team and started the mid-season classic.

Dawson finished his major league career with 438 homers (36th All-Time), with 1,591 RBIs and 314 stolen bases.

He is currently one of only three players in major league history to hit 400 home runs and steal 300 bases, joining Willie Mays and Barry Bonds.

During his illustrious career, Dawson made eight (8) with All-Star Game appearances (1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991), won eight (8) Gold Glove Awards, for outstanding defensive play in the field, along with four (4) Silver Slugger Awards (1981, 1982, 1983, 1987), for outstanding performances at the plate.

Dawson was inducted into the FAMU Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and was honored with induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.

In January 1994, Dawson was the recipient of The Hutch Award, a Major League Baseball award given to an active player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire to win.

The award was created in 1965 in honor of Fred Hutchinson, the former major league baseball pitcher and manager, who died of cancer in November 1964 at the age of 45.

The scheduled three-game baseball series between Florida A&M and Texas Southern University will open on Friday, May 8 with a 1:00 p.m. doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field, rather than with a 1:00 p.m. Thursday single game as previously announced.

Saturday's single game will start at 12 noon.

Florida A&M will close out its' home baseball schedule Monday, May 11 against the North Carolina A&T Aggies at 1:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field.

This game will close out a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series originally scheduled for March 28-29 that was shortened due to rain.

Monday's game will be critical as the two schools are tied for third in the MEAC standings at 9-8 and pairings for the 2009 MEAC Tournament, set for next Thursday-Sunday, May 14-17 (in Daytona Beach, Florida) will hinge on the outcome of the game.

A win would boost the Rattlers to 10-8 and lock up the #3 seed in the tournament, but a loss would drop them into a three-way tie for fourth with Maryland-Eastern Shore and Norfolk State, both of which finished 9-9 in league play.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 28) – Mercer University held off a late charge by Florida A&M for a 9-6 college baseball victory at Moore-Kittles Field on the FAMU campus Tuesday afternoon.

FAMU (19-22) tied the game at 2-2 in the second with two runs on three hits, after the Bears opened the game’s scoring with two runs in the top of the second.

Mercer (19-20) then scored two runs in the top of the third inning to snap that 2-2 tie and take the lead for good at 4-2.

The Rattlers scored a run in the third for close to 4-3, then the Bears plated a single run in the fourth, scored three runs in the sixth and added one run in the seventh to build a 9-3 lead.

However, the Rattlers rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth, leaving a runner stranded as the game ended.

Mercer’s Blake Mainor (5-0) got the win for Mercer, who used six pitchers on Tuesday, while FAMU’s Anthony Espin (6-7) took the hill, working seven innings, allowing nine runs  on 10 hits, striking out four and walking four.

The Rattlers actually outhit Mercer, 12-11, led by Derrick Shaw with two hits and two RBIs, along with Tim Schalch and Jared Jeffries with two hits each. Stavone Martin, Gabriel Rodriguez, John Scott and Kendrick Durant each had a hit and an RBI Tuesday for FAMU.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers host Norfolk State in their final Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series Saturday (doubleheader at 1:00 p.m.) and Sunday (12 noon).

BALTIMORE -- After winning a pair of tightly-contested games on Saturday, Florida A&M erupted for 16 hits on its way to an 18-2 victory over Coppin State to complete a three-game sweep of their Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series on Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium.
 
Game three of the series was in stark contrast to the two games on Saturday, which saw the Rattlers (19-21, 8-6 in MEAC) posted 9-8 and a 10-8 victories in the doubleheader.
 
Darryl Evans, Derrick Shaw and Tobi Adeyemi each drove in three runs for the Rattlers, with Shaw and Tim Schalch each finishing with a team-high three hits, followed by Adeyemi, Evans, Jared Jefries and Gabriel Rodriguez with two hits each.

Shaw (1-1) held the Eagles to five hits and two runs over seven innings to pick up the pitching decision for FAMU, fanning three while walking four Sunday.
 
Florida A&M scored in all seven innings highlighted by four-run second which gave the Rattlers a 6-0 lead at that point, and a four-run fifth that extended their lead to 14-2.

Sunday’s win was the fifth straight for the Rattlers, who have moved into third place in the MEAC behind Bethune-Cookman (14-1, 24-21) and Delaware State (9-6, 18-17-1).

With Sunday’s 18-hit performance, the hot-hitting Rattlers have now extended their current run of plate success to 11 games in a row with at least 10 hits.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host Mercer University (4:00) on Tuesday at Moore-Kittles Field, opening a seven-game homestand to end the 2009 home schedule.
 

KNIGHTDALE, N.C. (April 24) - The Florida A&M Baseball team rallied for five runs in the top of the eighth inning to overhaul North Carolina Central for a 12-9 victory at Knightdale High School Friday afternoon.

Florida A&M (16-21) overcame a 9-7 deficit with Friday's late-inning rally, giving them back-to-back come-from-behind road wins in the last two days following an 11-10 extra-inning victory at Albany (Ga.) State on Thursday.

For the homestanding Eagles of NCCU (5-27), Friday's setback was their seventh straight loss, and especially tough to take after holding the advantage late in the game.

Friday's bout was the third meeting between the two schools this season, and it proved to be a rollercoaster affair that saw FAMU start the ballgame off with two consecutive doubles by Darryl Evans and Steve Cunningham, giving the Rattlers the 1-0 lead with one out in the top of the first.

Designated hitter Derrick Shaw drove Cunningham in to add one more run to the board making it 2-0 still with one out in the frame. After right fielder Stavone Martin hit another single, first baseman Tim Jones grounded into a 6-4-3 double play keeping the score at 2-0.

NCCU rallied in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead off FAMU starter Tim Schalch, keyed by freshman Ross Plummer's two-run homer over the left field wall.

In the third inning, the Eagles struck for four runs to extend their lead over Florida A&M to 7-2, but the Rattlers began their climb back into contention scoring two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth for a 7-6 NCCU edge.

However, the Eagles answered back in the bottom of the fifth on a two-run single by Robert Grant, which would widen the margin to three at 9-6.

With the score 9-7 in the top of the eighth, the Rattlers struck the final blow, rallying for five runs with two out to regain the lead for good.

FAMU shortstop Jared Jeffries hit a triple that ignited a five-run inning for Florida A&M that came on the heels of five hits including two triples, that put the Eagles behind 12-9.

Tobi Adeyemi lashed a three-run triple, while Shaw and Gabriel Rodriguez each had RBI singles to power the Rattlers into the lead.

FAMU finished the day with 18 hits, led by Adeyemi, Shaw and Tim Jones with three hits apiece. Adeyemi led with three RBI followed by Shaw and Jones with two runs driven in each. Rodriguez and Cunningham each had two hits, with Rodriguez picking up a pair (2) of RBIs.

Tim Schalch (2-1) went the distance on the mound for the Rattlers, allowing nine runs on 10 hits, with four strikeouts abnd four walks in nine innings of work.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers continue their road tour in Baltimore Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series against the winless Coppin State Eagles in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Coppin State, 9-8 and 10-8 here Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s sweep extended the Rattlers winning streak to four games, as they improved to 18-21 overall and 7-6 in MEAC play, moving into fourth place in the league, while Coppin State (0-26, 0-14) remained winless on the season.

The two clubs were scheduled to close out the three-game weekend series Sunday at 12 noon.

Boxscores and game statistics are still to come.

BALTIMORE, Md. (April 25) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Coppin State, 9-8 and 10-8 here Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s sweep extended the Rattlers winning streak to four games, as they improved to 18-21 overall and 7-6 in MEAC play, moving into fourth place in the league, while Coppin State (0-26, 0-14) remained winless on the season.

FAMU finished Saturday’s twinbill with 36 hits total, 21 in the first game. Shavone Martin led the Rattlers with seven hits and five RBI on the day, followed by Jared Jeffries with six hits and five runs; Darryl Evans with five hits, five runs scored, a home run and three RBIs and Derrick Shaw, who had four hits, a homer and five RBIs.

Freshman Elliott Bonner (1-1) won the opener for FAMU, fanning four and walking two, while allowing eight runs on 11 hits in nine innings. Kelvin Hale (1-0) was the Game Two winner, working seven innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits with three strikeouts.

In the opening game, FAMU built a 5-0 lead after two innings, but Coppin tied the game with a five-run fifth, then scored a run in the seventh and two in the eighth to take an 8-5 lead.

But in the ninth, the Rattlers scored four runs, with Derrick Shaw’s three-run homer keying the game-winning rally.

In Game two , FAMU finished with 15 hits, once again barging out in front with a four-run first, 4-0. Coppin State scored twice in the third to make the count 4-2, but the Rattlers regained a four-run cushion with two runs in the fourth for a 6-2 lead.

Coppin State scored two runs in the fifth to pull within two runs at 6-4, then FAMU responded with three runs in the sixth to take a 9-4 edge.

The Eagles plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth to close to 9-8, but Stavone Martin’s RBI double scored Darryl Evans with an insurance run for the 10-8 final.

The two clubs were scheduled to close out the three-game weekend series Sunday at 12 noon.

 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 21) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a 16-4 home decision to the Mercer (Ga.) University Bears Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.

The visiting Bears (15-18) pounded out 15 hits Tuesday, including eight extra base hits, capped by four home runs to forge a 14-0 lead after four innings.

FAMU (14-21) finished the day with 12 hits, led by Jared Jeffries, who went a perfect 4-for-4, with two runs scored., followed by Tim Schlach, who was also perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3, while Tim Jones went 2-for-4, driving in two runs.

Freshman Derrick Shaw (0-1) got his first collegiate start on the mound, as the injury-riddled Rattlers have had to dig deep for pitching in recent weeks.

Shaw allowed 14 runs on 12 hits in four innings with one strikeout and four walks, before being relieved in the fifth by Jeffries, who worked the final three innings.

Leading 7-2 after three innings, the Bears broke the game open with a seven-run fourth inning that staked them to a 14-2 advantage.

The Rattlers scored single runs in the first, third and fourth innings, scoring their final two runs in the seventh, after Mercer had pushed their run total to 16, with a two-run rally in the top of the seventh.

Mercer scored three runs in the first inning, then after FAMU scored a run in the bottom of the frame, added two runs in the second to go up 5-1, then added two more in the top of the third for a 7-1 edge.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers embark on a six-game road swing beginning Thursday at Albany (Ga.) State with a 3:00 p.m. single game…. Friday, the Rattlers are in Durham, North Carolina to play a make-up doubleheader with North Carolina Central…. Saturday and Sunday, the Rattlers take on winless Coppin (Md.) State in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series in Baltimore…. FAMU will host Mercer next Tuesday at 4:0 p.m. in their next home game…
 

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (April 19) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped the final game of a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference set here Sunday, letting an early 3-0 lead slip away as Maryland-Eastern Shore rallied for an 11-4 win at Hawks Field.

Florida A&M (14-20, 5-6 in MEAC) finished the day with 10 hits, led by Jared Jeffries, Tim Jones and Stavone Martin with two hits apiece. Martin, Jones and Daniel Lee each drove in a run for FAMU Sunday.

Elliott Bonner (0-1) took the loss for the Rattlers in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked four innings, allowing three runs on three hits, with three walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Bonner allowed eight runs on five hits in four innings, walking four and yielding a home run.

FAMU scored two runs in the first and another in the second to build an early 3-0 lead, but UMES (11-30, 9-6 in MEAC), scored twice in the third and once in the fourth to tie the count at 3-3.

The Hawks took the lead for good in the seventh, scoring three runs for a 6-3 edge, then after the Rattlers scored a run in the top of the eighth for a 6-4 count, UMES put the game away with a four-run rally in the bottom of the eighth inning.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will have a full week in store as they host Mercer University (4:00) on Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field, then faces six road games in four days starting with a Wednesday bout at Albany (Ga.) State, followed by a Thursday twinbill at North Carolina Central, before returning to MEAC play next Saturday and Sunday at Coppin (Md.) State in Baltimore.

PRINCESS ANNE, MD (April 17) – The Florida A&M Baseball team pounded out 39 hits here Saturday to sweep a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader from Maryland-Eastern Shore, 20-5 and 11-5 at Hawks Stadium.

FAMU (14-19, 5-5 in MEAC) rapped out 22 hits in Saturday’s opener, led by Darryl Evans, who had three hits, scored run times, while driving in six runs with a home run and a double.

Tobi Adeyemi and Jared Jeffries added four hits and an RBI each. Stavone Martin had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI, while Tim Schalch, Steve Cunningham and Daniel Lee added two hits apiece.

Anthony Espin (5-6) got the win for the Rattlers, allowing three runs on four hits in four innings, with two strikeouts and five walks.

The Rattlers put the game on ice early with an eight-run second inning, then added three more runs in the third for an 11-0 cushion, before the Hawks scored two runs in the bottom of the third for an 11-2 score.

FAMU scored two runs in the fourth for extend their edge to 13-2, then the Hawks plated a run in the bottom of the fourth for a 13-3 score.

After a scoreless fifth by both teams, FAMU struck for four runs in the sixth and added three more in the seventh for a 20-3 lead. UMES closed out the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the seventh, ending the game via the conference’s 10-run rule after seven innings.

In the second game Saturday, the Rattlers pounded out 17 hits led by Darryl Evans, who had four hits, a triple and a home run, with two RBIs. Stavone Martin had a two-run homer in the second game, while Lee, Burke and Jeffries each finished with three hits, with Lee driving in a game-high five runs.

Tim Jones (1-3) went the distance on the mound for the Rattlers, allowing five runs on 11 hits with four strikeouts and four walks.

UMES (10-30, 8-6 in MEAC) took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, then FAMU outscored the Hawks, 9-4 over the next five innings to forge a 9-5 lead, capping off the game with two more runs in the seventh.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will take on UMES Sunday at 12 noon in the series finale.

MACON, Ga. (April 15) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a two-game set to Mercer University Tuesday and Wednesday here at Claude Smith Field, falling 11-4 on Tuesday night and 14-3 Wednesday afternoon.

FAMU (12-19) rapped out 10 hits in Wednesday’s getaway game, led by Steve Cunningham’s three-hit effort, followed by Tim Schalch and Tobi Adeyemi with two hits apiece.

But the Rattlers fell behind early in Wednesday’s bout, as the Bears (15-15) scored seven runs in the first two innings before FAMU got on the board with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Mercer scored three runs in the sixth to push their lead to 10-2, then the two clubs traded single runs in the seventh as the score changed to 11-3, Bears.

The Bears closed out the scoring in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three more runs for the 14-3 final tally.

Senior Thaddous McBurrows (0-1) got the start for the Rattlers Wednesday, allowing seven runs on four hits with two strikeouts and seven walks.

Mercer, which finished Wednesday’s game with 14 hits – including four home runs – was also aided by the Rattlers, who committed four fielding errors, while issuing 10 walks to Bears batters.

In Tuesday’s series opener, FAMU outhit the Bears, 10-9, led by Schalch with two hits and Darryl Evans, who drove in two runs.

The Rattlers led in the early going, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, before the Bears rallied to tie the game in the bottom of the second, 1-1.

FAMU pushed across another tally in the third for a 2-1 lead, but the Bears struck for four runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-2 lead, then added three more in the bottom of the fourth to extend their advantage to 8-2.

Mercer made it 9-2 with a run in the bottom of the sixth, then the Rattlers staged a two-run rally in the top of the seventh to close to 9-4.

The Bears got those runs back with single tallies in the seventh and eighth to close out Tuesday evening’s game.

Anthony Espin (4-6) took the loss for the Rattlers, allowing eight runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in five innings of work.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers travel north to Princess Anne, Maryland for a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series with Maryland-Eastern Shore Saturday (1:00 p.m. doubleheader) and Sunday (1:00 p.m. single game), before returning home for a Tuesday afternoon home game against Mercer University at Moore-Kittles Field, starting at 4 p.m.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. (April 16) - The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team hits the road Thursday night for the first of two critical Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference weekend series against the Hawks of Maryland-Eastern Shore.

FAMU (12-19, 3-5 in MEAC) face the second-place Hawks (10-26, 8-5 in MEAC) in a Saturday doubleheader here at 1:00 p.m. and a Sunday single game at 1:00 p.m.

The next two weeks are crucial for the Rattlers, who have struggled a bit of late, having dropped eight of their last 12 games and seven of their last eight games.

But most importantly, they are in sixth place in the MEAC at 3-5, four-and-half games off the pace of archrival and defending champion Bethune-Cookman (18-17, 8-1), and need to get some wins under their belt the next two weekends to try and move up in the standings.

Behind B-CU are the Hawks (8-5) and Delaware State (7-2), followed by Norfolk State and North Carolina A&T (4-7), tied for fourth, ahead of the Rattlers in sixth.

Winless Coppin State (0-8, 0-17) the Rattlers' next weekend opponent (April 25-26), is in last (7th) place.

The MEAC Championship Tournament (May 13-17 at Daytona Beach. Florida) takes the top six teams in the final standings and the Rattlers are aiming to move up out of the sixth spot with a strong finish in their final nine league games.

After consecutive road weekends at Maryland-Eastern Shore (April 17-18) and Coppin State (April 24-25), the Rattlers close out their 2009 league schedule at home against Norfolk State, May 2-3 at Moore-Kittles Field.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Rattlers will host the Mercer Bears next Tuesday, April 21 at 4:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 11) – The Florida A&M Baseball team used a 12-hit attack to win the second game of a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader with Delaware State, 6-4, earning a split of the Saturday afternoon twinbill at Moore-Kittles Field.

The visiting Hornets (14-13-1, 6-2 in MEAC) won the opener, 9-1, rapping out seven hits while captitalizing on six FAMU fielding errors.

DelState also got a iroman pitching performance from Dan Perkins (3-3), who worked all nine innings for a complete game, scattering five Rattler hits, fanning 10 batters against no walks.

DSU grabbed an early 2-0 lead on a run-scoring sacrifice fly by Ross Babineaux and an RBI single by Abe Eubank.

Holding a 3-0 lead after plating a run in the fourth, the Hornets extended their advantage to 6-0 in the fifth when Eubank belted a three-run shot over the left center field wall.

Trailing 7-0 in the seventh, the Rattlers scored their only run of the game when Adam Gordon scored on a DelState throwing error, but the Hornets got the run back and more, plating two tallies in the ninth.

Sophomore Tim Jones (0-3) got the pitching start for the Rattlers in Game One, allowing six runs on four hits, waling six while fanning three Hornet batters, taking the loss.

Florida A&M (12-16, 3-4 in MEAC) wasted no time getting out front in the second game, taking a 1-0 lead in the first on Derrick Shaw’s RBI single, scoring Steve Cunningham from second.

The Rattlers scored three more times in the second on RBI singles by Elliott Bonner, Tim Schalch and Steve Cunningham, to built a 4-0 lad.

After the Hornets scored a run in the top of the third, the Rattlers countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, as Derrick Shaw scored on a throwing error before Antonio Burke’s RBI single plated Cunningham.

The Hornets scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull ever closer to the Rattlers, who rode the pitching of sophomore Anthony Espin (4-5) to victory.

Espin pitched out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth with the Hornets down 6-4, getting out of trouble with an inning-ending double play.

The Rattler starter worked into the seventh, allowing four runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts, before being lifted for Adam Gordon, who came on to retire three DSU batters for his second save of the season.

In the second game, Tim Schalch led the Rattlers with three hits and an RBI, followed by Cunningham and Shaw with two hits and an RBI apiece.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU and Delaware State will square off in the rubber match of the three-game MEAC series here Sunday at 12 noon at Moore-Kittles Field.

JACKSON, Miss. (April 7) – The Florida A&M Baseball team dropped a doubleheader to the Jackson State Tigers here Tuesday, dropping the opener, 8-4 and losing the nightcap in extra innings, 5-4.
FAMU (11-14) took an early 1-0 lead in Game One, on Tim Jones’ first inning RBI single, which scored Steve Cunningham, who reached on a single.

Jackson State (22-11) scored three runs in the third and three more in the fourth to build a 6-1 lead, before the Rattlers scored a run in the fifth when Jared Jeffries’ sacrifice fly to right scored Darryl Evans for a 6-2 score.

The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame, which was more than enough for their starter, Samuel Cline (3-2), who went the distance, pitching seven innings, striking out three, allowing four runs, while scattering nine hits.

Anthony Espin (3-5) took the loss, fanning two, while walking eight and allowing six runs on six hits in three and two-thirds innings Tuesday.

Second baseman Tim Schalch led the Rattlers’ nine-hit attack with two hits.

In the second game, the Rattlers bolted to the early lead again, scoring three runs in the third for a 3-0 cushion, on RBI hits by Tim Jones and Tobi Adeyemi, plus an RBI sacrifice fly by Schalch.

JSU scored a run in the bottom of the third, then took a 4-3 lead with a three-run fifth, before the Rattlers tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh, when Schalch belted another sac fly, scoring Elliott Bonner, forcing extra innings.

FAMU starter Miguel Parga (4-3) pitched into the ninth, but his two-out wild pitch allowed Fred Atkins, who had reached on a leadoff double, to score the game-winning run from third.

Parga worked eight and two-thirds innings Tuesday, striking out six, walking three, while giving up five runs in seven hits.

JSU’s Samuel Cline (4-2) was the winner in relief, coming on in the seventh to work the final two and two-thirds innings, fanning two and allowing one hit.

FAMU outhit the Tigers, 10-9 in the second game and 19-18 in the doubleheader Tuesday. Darryl Evans and Elliott Bonner each had two hits, with Tim Schalch driving in two runs in Game Two.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU and Jackson State will complete their three game series here Wednesday at the JSU Baseball Complex starting at 1 p.m. Central Time.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 3) – The Florida A&M Baseball team swept a Friday afternoon doubleheader from North Carolina Central University, 3-2 and 17-1 at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (11-12) rode the pitching of starter Anthony Espin (3-4) and relief ace Adam Gordon to eke past the visiting Eagles (4-15) in the opener, as the duo allowed just two hits in seven innings, combining for six strikeouts.

Espin worked into the seventh, turning in six full innings, scattering two hits after taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning. He fanned four while walking seven NCCU hitters.

Gordon, came on in the seventh, striking out two batters and getting one other Eagle to ground out with the bases loaded to end the threat and the game.

In the opener, FAMU erased a 1-0 Central lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning to grab a 2-1 advantage, then both clubs scored single runs in the third to end the scoring.

In the second game, the Rattlers wasted little time plucking the Eagles’ wings, scoring five runs in the first and two more in the second for a 7-0 lead, then broke the game open with a seven-run fourth, keyed by Gordon’s first collegiate grand slam home run, staking FAMU to a 14-0 lead.

Tim Jones led a three-run fifth inning rally by belting a solo home run, his third of the year, helping extend FAMU’s lead to 17-1.

In the second game, FAMU belted out 16 hits, led by Jared Jeffries with four hits and three RBI, followed by Tim Jones with three hits and two RBI, along with Gabriel Rodriguez, who had two hits and two runs driven in, plus Steve Cunningham, who also had two hits in the nightcap.

Miguel Parga (4-2) got the win, working six full innings for the Rattlers, scattering four hits and allowing one run, with five strikeouts and three walks. Thaddous McBurrows came on to work a scoreless seventh to close out the game, striking out one.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers travel to Jackson, Mississippi Monday, to face the Jackson State Tigers in a two-game series, playing Tuesday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, April 8 at 1:00 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 29) – The Florida A&M Baseball team split a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader with North Carolina A&T Sunday, winning the opening game, 8-5, before dropping the second game, 10-2 here at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (9-12, 2-3 in MEAC) had 11 hits in Sunday’s opener, led by Derrick Shaw and Antonio Burke with two hits apiece. Gabriel Rodriguez and Adam Gordon each drove in a pair of runs.

The Rattlers erased a 1-0 A&T lead with a four-run rally in the bottom of the first, then added a single run in the second to build a 5-1 lead.

FAMU extended their lead to 8-1 by the sixth inning with a run in the fourth and two more runs in the sixth.

The Aggies (7-15, 3-2 in MEAC) scored once in the eighth before pushing across three more in the ninth to make the game interesting.

Sophomore Anthony Espin (2-4) turned in a complete game in the opening, scattering nine hits and allowing five runs in nine innings. He struck out six and walked three Sunday.

In the nightcap, the Aggies struck for seven runs in the fifth, turning their 1-0 lead into an 8-0 advantage.

FAMU answered in the bottom of the fifth with two runs in five hits to cut the Aggies’ edge to 8-2, but could not manage much after that, as A&T scored two more runs in the seventh to close out the game.

The Rattlers had nine hits in the second bout, led by Jared Jeffries with three hits and an RBI, followed by Derrick Shaw and Gabriel Rodriguez with two hits apiece.

Miguel Parga (3-2) took the loss for FAMU, despite an ironman performance Sunday. Like fellow mound mate Anthony Espin in the opener, Parga went the distance, turning in a complete game, allowing 10 runs on 10 hits, with two strikeouts in seven innings.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host North Carolina Central in a Friday afternoon doubleheader at Moore-Kittles Field, beginning at 2:00.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 22) – The Florida A&M Rattlers fell victim to their own fielding miscues here Sunday, dropping a 7-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball decision to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Florida A&M (8-11, 1-2 in MEAC) committed six errors in Sunday’s rubber game, yet trailed just 6-4 after six innings.

Sophomore Tim Jones (0-2) took the mound for FAMU, allowing four hits and four runs in four innings, fanning six Wildcat batters, while walking five. Sophomore Miguel Parga came on in the fifth, fanning four in four innings, scattering three hits and allowing three runs.

B-CU’s Felix Machado (3-1) got the win after working into the sixth, when he was chased by the Rattlers, who struck for three runs in the frame to slice the Wildcats’ advantage to 6-4. Machado scattered eight hits in five and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs, with three strikeouts and three walks.

Andrew Tilka came on in the sixth for B-CU, working three and one-third innings o shutout relief, allowing two hits, fanning three for his first save of the year.

Bethune-Cookman (10-13, 2-1 in MEAC) scored once in the first inning and two in the second, plus a single run in the fourth to build a 4-0 lead.

FAMU got on the board in the fifth, as Tim Schalch scored from third when Steve Cunningham reached on a fielder’s choice grounder, which was thrown away by B-CU first baseman Alejandro Jimenez, for a 4-1 score.

The Wildcats plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 6-1 advantage, before the Rattlers scored three runs on five hits in the top of the sixth to close within 6-4.

Adam Gordon’s RBI double scored Daniel Lee for a 6-2 score, then Tim Schalch and Steve Cunningham followed with RBI singles to plate two more runs for the Rattlers.

FAMU out hit the Wildcats, 10-8, but left nine runners stranded including leaving the bases loaded in the second inning, when B-CU’s lead was just 1-0. Steve Cunningham, Tim Schalch and Chris Fulman each had two hits for the Rattlers.

The Wildcats scored a run in the seventh to close out the scoring, extending their lead to 7-4.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers return to action next weekend as they host North Carolina A&T, Saturday (1:00) and Sunday (12 Noon) in a three-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference series at Moore-Kittles Field.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 21) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team split a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference baseball doubleheader here Saturday afternoon with Bethune-Cookman University, winning the second game, 6-4 in extra innings, after dropping the opener, 9-2.

Florida A&M (8-10, 1-1 in MEAC) out hit the defending MEAC champs, 10-8 in the second game, capturing their first win against their in-state rivals on the diamond in several years.

Tallahassee junior Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter David Duncan, who worked into the fifth, fanning four against no walks in four and two-thirds innings, giving up two runs.

Gordon came on in the fifth, scattering two hits, allowing a pair of runs, fanning five and walking four in three and one-third innings.

The Rattlers grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the first in Game Two, on RBI singles by Tim Jones and Tobi Adeyemi.

B-CU (9-13, 1-1 in MEAC), scored a run in the bottom of the first, then tied it with a run in the bottom of the second, 2-2.

In the sixth, the Rattlers took a 3-2 lead, when Derrick Shaw, who reached on a leadoff single, scored from third on a Wildcat throwing error, but the ‘Cats tied the game with a run in the bottom of the sixth.

Both clubs scored a run in the seventh, with B-CU’s Jose Ortiz forcing extra innings with a two-out RBI single scoring Alejandro Jimenez, tying the score at 4-4.

In the top of the eighth, the Rattlers plated a pair of runs when Antonio Burke drilled a two-run single to center, scoring Gordon and Adeyemi for a 6-4 FAMU lead.

That was all Gordon would need, as he retired three straight B-CU batters after issuing a leadoff walk to Drew Clark, striking out Mark Brooks to end the game.

Shaw, Burke, Adeyemi and Tim Jones each had two hits for FAMU, which got three RBI from Burke and one each from Adeyemi and Jones.

In the opening game, the Wildcats took control early, scoring two runs in the first, one in the second and three in the third to build a 6-0 advantage after three innings.

FAMU scored single runs in the fourth and fifth, but B-CU answered with a run in the fourth and two more in the seventh.

The Wildcats pounded out 15 hits in the opener to nine for FAMU, which got two hits each from Derrick Shaw and Tim Schalch, each of who drove in a run.

Sophomore Anthony Espin (1-4) took the loss for the Rattlers, working into the eighth inning (7.1), allowing 15 hits and all nine Wildcat runs. He struck out six and walked seven, before being lifted for Gordon, who retired the final two B-CU batters in the eighth, fanning one.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will shoot for a series win against the Wildcats Sunday in the rubber match at 1:00 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 18) – The University of South Florida beat out nine hits and took advantage of six FAMU fielding errors to clinch a 7-0 college baseball victory over the Rattlers Wednesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (6-9), which managed just three hits in Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Bulls, went one better Wednesday, finishing the day with four hits, led by senior shortstop Tim Schalch with two hits, while Steve Cunningham and Derrick Shaw claimed the other two safeties.

Freshman David Duncan (2-4) took the loss on the mound for FAMU, scattering six hits, while allowing four runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts and three walks in seven innings of work.

USF’S Matt Reed (2-0) went the distance for the Bulls, scattering four hits in nine shutout innings, fanning five Rattler hitters, while walking two.

South Florida (10-7) took a 2-0 lead in the first on Todd Brazeal’s two-run double, which scored Sam Mende and Jonathan Kosco. Kosco had struck out, but catcher Adam Gordon’s throw to first was wild, allowing Kosco to go all the way to third, setting the stage of Brazeal’s big hit later in the inning.

In the fifth, Mende singled, then scored on a throwing error by third baseman Derrick Shaw with two outs, extending the Bulls’ lead to 3-0.

USF’s Daniel Rockhold made it 4-0 in the sixth, reaching base after being hit by a pitch, scoring from second when left fielder Tobi Adeyemi misplayed a base hit by Peter Brotons, allowing the ball to roll to the fence.

In the eighth, the Bulls made it 6-0, when Mike Consolmagno hit a two-run single, scoring Junior Carlin and Jordan McGillis, then in the ninth, a throwing error by shortstop Tim Schalch allowed Mende, who reached on a one-out walk, to score from third with the game’s final run.

WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU will host Albany (Ga.) State Thursday at 3 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field, then open Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday (1:00-DH) and Sunday (12 noon) against archrival and defending champion Bethune-Cookman at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 17) – The University of South Florida Bulls made the most of their hits here Wednesday afternoon to ease past the Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team, 6-1 in a non-conference game at Moore-Kittles Field.

USF (9-7), which finished the day with six hits, grabbed a 2-0 lead in the fourth when catcher Andrew Longley hit a two-run double, scoring Todd Brazeal and Sam Mende with two outs after a Rattler error kept the inning alive.

The Rattlers (6-8) scored a single run in the bottom of the fourth as Elliott Bonner scored from second with two outs, when Derrick Shaw’s fly ball to center was dropped by Ryan Lockwood, making the score, 2-1.

The Bulls scored three runs in the seventh on just one hit and one Rattler error to extend their lead to 5-1, then added a run in the ninth to close out the scoring.

FAMU finished the game with three hits, but committed five fielding errors, most of which didn’t hurt them, thanks to a gusty pitching performance by starter Anthony Espin.

Espin (1-3) took the loss, despite pitching out of three bases-loaded jams in the first six innings. He worked six and one-third innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out five and walking five.

USF’s Teddy Kaufman (1-0) went the distance on the mound for the Bulls, scattering three hits and allowing one run, fanning 11 Rattler batters, while issuing no walks in nine innings.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers host USF Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field, then take on Albany (Ga.) State at Moore-Kittles on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team completed a two-game sweep of Concordia (Ala.) College Friday afternoon with a 15-4 romp at Moore-Kittles Field.

FAMU (6-7) overwhelmed the visiting Hornets (8-16) with an 11-run fourth inning rally that wiped out a 2-1 Concordia lead.

Adam Gordon (1-0) got the win for FAMU in relief of starter Tim Schalch, who worked the first two innings. Gordon finished the final five innings by scattering five hits, allowing three runs, while fanning five batters against one walk.

Jamel Terry (3-5) took the loss for Concordia, working three and one-third innings, allowing give runs on four hits with no strikeouts and two walks.

The Rattlers grabbed the early 1-0 lead in the first when Darryl Evans singled and scored on a base hit by Derrick Shaw.

The Hornets tied the score at 1-1 in the top of the second on Rico Stevens’ RBI single, which plated Benji Williams, then Stevens did it again in the fourth, driving home Terrence Bart with a hit for a 2-1 Concordia lead.

FAMU then broke the game open completely in the bottom of the fourth, sending 15 men to the plate, scoring 11 runs on five hits, aided by three Hornet errors, to re-take the lead at 12-2.

Four of FAMU’s run scored on outfielder’s errors by Concordia, while Tim Jones drove in three runs with two hits in the frame. Evans, Gabriel Rodriguez, Tobi Adeyemi and Antonio Burke each drove in a run as well.

Concordia scored a single run in the top of the fifth, before FAMU tacked on three more in the bottom of the frame for a 15-3 cushion. The Hornets added a final run in the seventh inning.

Evans, Adeyemi and Jones each finished with two hits. Jones drove in three runs and Evans two on the day.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will host three home games next week beginning Tuesday, as they open a two-game set with the University of South Florida at 3 p.m. They will play USF at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, then face the Albany (Ga.) State Rams on Thursday at 3 p.m.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Mar. 12) – The Florida A&M Baseball team snapped a four-game losing streak Thursday afternoon with an 11-1 win over Concordia (Ala.) College at Moore-Kittles Field.

Florida A&M (5-7)  unleashed a 12-hit attack against the visiting Hornets (8-14), scoring once in the first inning, when Tobi Adeyemi scored from third on a double steal play for a 1-0 Rattler lead.

FAMU scored three runs in the second to push their lead to 4-0. Sophomore Tim Jones belted a leadoff home run to left field for a 2-0 count, then Concordia pitcher Antonio Fisher had a bout of wildness, as both Adam Gordon and Tim Schalch scored on wild pitches for a 4-0 lead.

In the third, Concordia plated their only run, as Rico Stevens drew a one-out walk from FAMU’s Miguel Parga, later scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by A.J. Ward for a 4-1 score.

FAMU answered in the bottom of the third with a two-run rally, as Adeyemi scored from third on a passed ball, followed by Tim Jones, who scored on an RBI single by Chris Fullman for a 6-1 lead.

In the fourth, the Rattlers posted their advantage to 9-1 with a three-run rally. Adeyemi hit a run scoring single to score Darryl Evans, who reached on a leadoff single, then Derrick Shaw scored on an RBI double by Tim Jones, who scored the final run himself on a single by Adam Gordon.

Then in the sixth, Gordon belted a two-run homer, scoring Jones ahead of him for the game’s final runs.

Parga (2-1) turned in a complete game pitching performance for the Rattlers Thursday, working seven innings, scattering six hits, allowing one run, while striking out for with no walks.

Adam Gordon led FAMU with four hits including a two-run homer, followed by Tim Jones, who finished with three hits and a homer, scoring four runs.

WHAT’S NEXT: The Rattlers will take on Concordia on Friday at 1 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field in the second game of the two-game series.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (March 10) – The Georgia State Panthers scored 13 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to break open a tight game and roll to a 22-6 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers in a college baseball game Tuesday at Moore-Kittles Field.

Georgia State (9-4) struck for six runs in the first inning off FAMU starter Tim Jones (0-1), then pushed across single runs in the second and third innings to build an 8-5 lead.

Jones worked four innings, allowing eight runs on six hits, fanning five batters, while walking five.

GSU’s John Locklear (3-0) was the winning pitcher, working six innings, scattering seven hits, allowing five runs and fanning eight batters.

The Rattlers (4-6) struck for three runs in the second to cut the Panthers lead to 7-3, then they added two more runs in the bottom of the third to pull within three runs at 8-5.

After a scoreless fourth, GSU rallied for four runs in the fifth to extend their advantage to 12-5, then broke the game open in the sixth inning with a nine-run rally to push the score to 21-5.

Both teams scored a run in the seventh, ending the contest by mutual consent.

FAMU finished with 10 hits Tuesday, led by Daniel Lee, David Duncan and Adam Gordon with two hits apiece. Derrick Shaw and Darryl Evans each drove in a pair of runs.

The Panthers had 15 hits on the day, led by Carl Montz, who had three hits and three RBIs along with a solo homer. Brandon Williams also had three hits and three RBI, while Marc Mimeault had three hits and two RBI.

The Florida A&M Rattler Baseball team has gone through the early portion of the 2009 campaign, showing signs of being an improved offensive club.

Coach Robert Lucas’ diamondeers are 4-6 heading into a final six-game pre-conference stretch which begins Wednesday, March 11 against the Jacksonville (Fla.) University Dolphins on the road.

The Season So Far
The Rattlers opened the season at home with a three-game series against Jackson (Miss.) State, February 20-21, dropping two out of three to the Tigers.

On Friday, February 20, FAMU dropped the opening game, 6-2, then rebounded to win the second game, 7-4. On Saturday, February 21,  the Tigers roared in winning the rubber match, 15-4.

The Rattlers then headed to Houston, Texas for another three-game set against Southwestern Athletic Conference competition, taking on the Texas Southern University Tigers in what turned out to be a wild shootout of a series.

On Wednesday, February 25, the Rattlers split a doubleheader with the Tigers, losing the opener, 10-9 in extra innings, before winning the second game, 9-6. On Thursday, FAMU and TSU engaged in a Game Three slugfest, with the Rattlers prevailing, 21-15.

FAMU returned home on Saturday, February 28 to face their third set of Tigers, the Edward Waters College version, outlasting the Jacksonville club, 21-10.

The Campbell (N.C.) University Fighting Camels came to Moore-Kittles for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 3, taking both ends of the twinbill, 7-0 and 16-6.

This past Tuesday (March 10), the Rattlers dropped a 22-6 decision to the Panthers of Georgia State University.

FAMU’s Leading Men
The Rattlers came into the week hitting a robust .365 as a team, sporting a lineup that features seven players hitting over .300 and four players boasting of a .400 or better average.

Junior centerfielder Darryl Evans (.487, 2 HRs, 19 hits, 12 runs, 9 RBI) heads the hitting charts average-wise, ranking second in runs batted in, ranking first in stolen bases (9 of 10) and tied for the club lead in homers (2)

Freshman Derrick Shaw (.484, 2 HRs, 7 RBI) is tied with Evans for the club home run lead (2); Junior Stavone Martin (.480, 2 doubles, 7 RBI) and sophomore Tobi Adeyemi (.464, 3 doubles, 9 RBI) round out the .400 hitting quartet.

Senior Timothy Schalch (.389,  14 hits, 6 RBI) heads the second tier of Rattler hitters, followed by sophomore Chris Fulman (.375, 1 double, 1 HR, 4 RBI) and junior Adam Gordon (.320, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 10 RBI), the club’s RBI leader.

On the mound, freshman David Duncan (2-2, 4.43 ERA, 20.1 IP, 15 Ks, 2 complete games in 3 starts) tops the fledgling Rattler pitching staff in the early going. Sophomores Miguel Parga (1-1, 8.15 ERA, 17.2 IP, 15 Ks) and Anthony Espin (1-2, 12.89 ERA, 14.2 IP, 12 Ks) have had and up and down start to the season, but still considered the veterans of this young staff, after yeoman’s performances as freshmen a year ago.

WHAT’S NEXT: Following Wednesday night’s bout in Jacksonville, the Rattlers will open a five-game homestand on Thursday, March 12 against Concordia College of Selma, Alabama at 3:00 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field……. FAMU will play Concordia on Friday, March 13 at 1:00 p.m., then will host the University of South Florida Bulls on Tuesday, March 17 (3:00 p.m.) and Wednesday, March 18 (1:00 p.m.), closing out the stretch next Thursday, March 19 (3:00) against the Albany (Ga.) State Rams.

FAMU 2009 BASEBALL PREVIEW

Coach Robert Lucas’ second-year squad is aiming to challenge archrival Bethune-Cookman for the top spot in the MEAC, and could be in position to do so with a year’s experience under his leadership. Heading the class of returnees seeking to bolster the Rattlers’ chances on the diamond will be pitchers Miguel Parga and Anthony Espin, plus 2008 MVP Jared Jeffries, 2008 MEAC Rookie of the Year Tim Jones, junior infielder Timothy Schalch and junior outfielder Darryl Evans. The Rattlers, which were once one of the dominant baseball clubs in the MEAC in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are seeking their first trip to the throne room since 1994 and armed with some key recruits, could make a strong push to reverse their fortunes in 2009.

FAMU 2008 BASEBALL SEASON IN REVIEW

The Rattler Baseball team under the leadership of Coach Robert Lucas, posted a 19-22 record overall and was 11-7 in MEAC play after the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament. FAMU was squarely in the middle of the seven-team pack in the MEAC Baseball race, finishing as the third seed in the six-team league tournament at Norfolk State in May. All-MEAC senior infielder Corey McFadden and fellow senior pitcher Cirilo Manego were two of the veterans on the 2008 squad, which featured a horde of first and second-year performers. 2007 MEAC Rookie of the Year Darryl Evans, along with fellow sophomores Jared Jeffries, Jared Grace, Tim Schalch and Thad McBurrows, blended in with freshmen like 2008 MEAC Rookie of the Year first baseman Tim Jones, plus Steve Cunningham and pitchers Anthony Espin and Miguel Parga, to help the Rattlers to a 1-2 finish in the conference tournament.