TAMPA, FL – Florida A&M (14-8, 5-1 MEAC) gave South Florida (21-2) all they could handle for six-and-a-half innings, but the FAMU bullpen fell apart in the bottom of the seventh, allowing eight runs to give USF a commanding 11-1 lead Friday night in the first of three games at USF Baseball Stadium.
The Rattlers' relievers allowed seven free passes (five walks and two hit-by-pitches) in the inning. USF added three hits and took advantage of three passed balls by the Florida A&M catcher to blow the game open.
Florida A&M starter JoJo Durden was outstanding on Friday night, keeping the Rattlers in the game with six strong innings while setting a career high with eight strikeouts.
South Florida got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Garrett Zech reached on an infield single to the shortstop after getting jammed on a fastball inside. Zech then stole second and third and came around to score on a wild pitch to give the Bulls a 1-0 lead.
Durden had his breaking ball working in the bottom of the second. After a leadoff double by Duke Stunkel, Durden struck out the side on three curveballs, stranding the USF baserunner at second.
USF scored a single run in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI fielder's choice by Luke Borders to take a 2-0 lead.
Florida A&M scored their only run of the night in the top of the fifth inning on an opposite field home run by Garrett Wilkinson – his first of the season.
The Rattlers spoiled a good opportunity to add more runs in the fifth inning. Russell Rauh struck out looking after a failed sacrifice bunt attempt, which could have advanced Eric Blanc, Jr. into scoring position after he singled up the middle. Kaycee Reese then singled through the right side to put runners on first and second with one out. Malachi Mitchell came in to pinch-run for Blanc, Jr. at second and was thrown out after missing a double steal sign, leading to an inning-ending double play after Capra struck out swinging.
USF extended their lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a passed ball with the bases loaded and two outs, and two strikes on the batter.
The eight-run seventh inning for the Bulls put the game out of reach and gave them an 11-1 advantage, which proved to be the final score.
Despite giving his best effort so far in 2017, JoJo Durden (2-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits in six innings.
Phoenix Sanders (4-0) picked up his fourth win of the year after giving up only one run on six hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of work.
The Rattlers struck out a season-high twelve times in the loss, while only walking once.
Florida A&M and South Florida will square off again tomorrow evening at 6:30 PM. Ryan Anderson will take the hill for the Rattlers and Shane McClanahan will start for the Bulls.
As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook.
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