Tallahassee, Fla. | Florida A&M's Sydnee Worthy smacked a three-run walk-off homerun to lift FAMU to a 7-4 victory over South Carolina State in the second game of a doubleheader at the Rattler Softball Complex on Friday. The Rattlers dropped game one in eight innings, 5-4.
 
Game 1 
 
Kenyaaamri Jones and Anizya Vargas picked up two runs and Kaylin Rhone scored three runs in FAMU's game one loss to SCSU.
 
With the Rattlers (3-19, 3-7 MEAC) trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning, Jones tied the game up with an RBI single, scoring Rhone who reached base with a walk earlier in the frame. 
 
The Bulldogs (2-13, 1-5 MEAC) added two runs in the top of the fifth, retaking a 4-1 lead. The Rattlers answered back in the bottom of the inning when an error plated Rhone, cutting SCSU's advantage to 4-2 heading into the sixth.
 
In the seventh inning, with the Rattlers needed two runs to keep the game going and FAMU delivered. After Rhone drew a walk with one out, Seriah Brokenborough singled through the left side of the infield, moving Rhone into scoring position. After Worthy grounded out moving runners to second and third, Rhone scored her third run on a wild pitch, and Zaria Hall, who entered as a pinch runner, scored following a throwing error by the catcher on the play, knotting the game up at 4-4 to ensure extra innings.
 
One batter later, Jones smoked a triple to centerfield, but was thrown out trying to stretch her triple into an inside the park homer, colliding with SCSU's catcher on a close play at the plate.
 
The Bulldogs added another run in the top of the eighth. 
 
In the bottom half of the inning, FAMU got a runner to third base one out, but couldn't push a run across, falling 5-4.
 
Nadia Zenteno picked up the loss in relief, allowing one run on three hits in 3.2 innings of the work. She also struck out two batters. Gabriella Williams earned a no decision surrendering four runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings. 
 
Game 2
 
FAMU had revenge on their minds in the nightcap, earning a 7-4 victory with some late inning fireworks from Worthy.
 
In the first inning, Melkayla Irvis drew a leadoff walk. Irvis worked her way into scoring position, stealing second. Two batters later, Worthy picked up her first RBI of the game, driving Irvis home on a single.
 
The Rattlers built a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Kyami Cruz picked up her first collegiate hit with an RBI triple the left centerfield. 
 
SCSU jumped ahead 3-2 in the third inning following a three-run homer. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 4-2 in the fourth inning.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Cruz picked up her second career hit with a leadoff single. She followed that up by stealing second and third. Borkenborough drove her home with a single to centerfield chopping SCUS's lead to 4-3.
 
In the sixth inning, Natasha Fox hit an RBI double to rightfield, tying the game a 4-4 heading into the final inning.
 
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Destiny Cuevas opened the frame getting hit by a pitch. Borokenborough put more pressure on the Bulldogs when she singled up the middle. That's when Worthy stepped up to the plate and sent a towering three-run homer to deep right field clinching to victory. 
 
Zenteno (1-8) earned her first victory of the season, tossing a complete game, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out four. 
 
On Deck
 
FAMU and SCSU square off again on Saturday for the conclusion of their weekend series with another doubleheader. The games will also serve as senior and Autism Awareness Day. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with the second game beginning 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first game.