FAMU Gets Walk-Off Home Run in Doubleheader Sweep
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (10-5, 2-0 MEAC) used a monster offensive performance in game one and a, two-run, walk-off home run by Peter Jackson in game two to defeat Bethune-Cookman (5-9, 0-2 MEAC) by a scores of 15-3 and 2-1 at Moore-Kittles Field on Saturday.
The win was the seventh straight for FAMU. In game one, seven different Rattlers had multi-hit performances as the Rattlers scored in every inning. Game two had a phenomenal pitching performance from Ricky Page as he worked a career high eight scoreless innings, while tying a career high with five strikeouts.
The 18 hits allowed by B-CU in game one were the most this season by the Wildcats. It also marked the first time in program history that the Wildcats fell due to the mercy rule. Before today’s walk-off home run, Jackson had just hit his first career home run against Toledo on Tuesday. It was the first walk-off home run for Florida A&M since Alec Wong’s walk-off home run against North Carolina A&T on March 28 of last season.
Rattler game one starter Danny Rodriguez (2-0) earned the win after he pitched a season long six innings and allowed just two runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and three walks. Page was the game two starting pitcher for FAMU and despite the strong outing he was credited with a no decision. Hunter Fillingim (1-0) picked up the win in relief after recording the final out in the top of the ninth inning of game two.
Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman close out the three-game series on Sunday at 1:00 PM.
For complete story, visit www.famuathletics.com or www.bcuathletics.com
Dandridge Shuts Down N.C. A&T State As Eagles Take Doubleheader Split
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Alex Dandridge shined on the mound for North Carolina Central University as he struck out seven batters and only allowed two hits in a doubleheader split with North Carolina A&T State University on Saturday, March 12 at War Memorial Stadium.
N.C. A&T State (4-12, 1-2 MEAC) took game one 15-2, and NCCU (9-8, 2-1 MEAC) took game two 7-4. With the split, NCCU takes the weekend series over N.C. A&T State.
Trevor Theissen ripped a solo shot to left field to put NCCU on the board in the top of the first in game one, but N.C. A&T State put five runs on the board in the bottom of the inning, and commanded the game from there.
The Aggies combined for 19 hits led by Timothy Ravare who went 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Game one was called before the ninth inning after a grand slam from Dawnovan Smith put N.C. A&T State up by the required ten runs, with the score 15-2 in the eighth inning.
The second game went in the opposite direction as there were no runs to be had until the fourth inning. Zachary Marszal led off with a double, and was brought in by an RBI single from Bryant Battle. Battle was in turn brought home on a single Thomas Prospero to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead.
Dandridge took a no-hitter into the fourth, but the Aggies finally broke it up and brought home a run as well from Kyle Clary.
NCCU fired back in front after James Dey crushed a three-run homer to right field in the top of the fifth, and then the Eagles picked up two more runs in the sixth after three-straight hits from Conrad Kovalcik, Marszal and Dey to lead 7-1 through six full frames.
N.C. A&T State made the game interesting after a three-RBI double in the bottom of the seventh, but that would be it for the Aggies as the Eagles took a 2-1 series win with a 7-4 final score.
NCCU next heads to Presbyterian College on Tuesday, March 15, and return to the Durham Athletic Park for a three-game divisional series with Bethune-Cookman.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.ncataggies.com
Hawks Fall On Late Rally In Lexington
LEXINGTON, Va. — The Maryland Eastern Shore baseball team rebounded nicely in their second game of a three game series with the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Keydets.
Unfortunately, the rebound was not enough to claim victory and the Hawks ultimately fell due to a late VMI rally, with a final of 7-3. The team will get one more chance to avoid the sweep on Sunday. Due to impending weather, the contest will be moved up and played at 11:00 a.m. on VMI’s campus.
Sophomore Scott Bean took the loss, but had his best start in the early season, going five innings and giving up three runs, with a pair of strikeouts. Fellow sophomore Chris Melrath and senior Devin Repine (Salisbury, Maryland) contributed in relief.
On the offense, senior Mike Escanilla led the way with a 3-for-4 afternoon and an RBI single. Junior Jordan Martin collected two hits and scored once and freshman Tom Summers blasted his first collegiate home run, a blazing line drive down the left field line.
Senior J.P. Black is scheduled to be the series finale starter for the Hawks Sunday morning.
For complete story, visit www.umeshawks.com