Tanner, Ala. | Florida A&M baseball (11-17, 5-3 SWAC) defeated Alabama A&M 12-8 in the eleventh inning at Calhoun Community College's Fred Frickie Park Saturday afternoon.
In the first inning, the Bulldogs would waste no time getting on the scoreboard scoring on a passed ball to take a 2-0 lead.
The score would remain that way until the top of the third inning as the Rattlers responded with a run each from Zeddric Burnham and Joseph Pierini to even the game 2-2. They would then take the lead in the top of the fourth inning as Jalen Niles singled to right-center to bring home Adam Haidermota before Niles scored to increase the advantage to 4-2.
The Bulldogs would then reach on a fielder's choice to score and tie the game again, 4-4.
Florida A&M would then answer in the top of the 10th with a run from Pierini, Ty Hanchey, Grant Rowell, and Haidermota to take the lead, 8-4. The Bulldogs would then respond in the bottom of the inning loudly with a homer to right-center. A walk on a wild pitch would deadlock the game at 8-8.
The Rattlers would respond in the bottom of the 11th inning with a barrage of runs as Rowell singled up the middle, and LJ Bryant and Pierini scored before Jared Weber singled to left field and brought home Rowell and Hanchey to close out the 12-8 decision.
Rowell led the Rattlers with a 2-of-6 day, three RBIs, and two scored runs, while Haidermota went 3-of-6 with two RBIs and a run scored. Bryant was 1-of-5 with a pair of RBIs and a run scored, while Pierini scored 2-of-4 with two runs. Raylan Wagner threw one inning, allowing no earned runs, and struck out two to move to 1-0.
The Rattlers are back in action tomorrow as they wrap up their three-game series against the Bulldogs. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.
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