TALLAHASSEE, FL --It was a heartbreaker on Saturday, as the Florida A&M Rattlers was unable to push that tying run across, and came up one run short of victory, losing to the Eastern Illinois Panthers 4-3.
Junior Grant Harrison (0-1) started and took the loss on the mound for Florida A&M (0-2). The right-hander went three innings, giving up two runs, zero earned, on one hit, allowing six walks and striking out four. Sophomore Dallas Tease was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going four innings, surrendering one run on five hits.
Offensively, the Rattlers were paced by senior Jared Weber, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and an RBI. Senior Janmikell Bastardo put together a standout performance at the plate as well, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Senior Ty Hanchey also contributed for Florida A&M, putting together two hits in three trips to the plate while adding a walk.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trailing 3-0, the Rattlers first put runs on the board in the seventh inning. Florida A&M plated two runs when Bastardo left the yard with Hanchey aboard.
The Rattlers deficit grew to 4-2 before their offense got back on the scoreboard, cutting into that deficit in the eighth inning. Florida A&M picked up a run on Weber's leadoff home run off of senior Ryan Ignoffo, which tightened the Panthers lead to 4-3. The Rattlers were unable to get any closer, as neither team scored again in the ballgame.
GAME NOTES
» Florida A&M's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed two runs across.
» Florida A&M pitchers limited Eastern Illinois to just 2-for-11 (.182) with runners in scoring position.
» Florida A&M pitchers faced 40 Eastern Illinois hitters in the game, allowing eight ground balls and 14 fly balls while striking out four.
» Weber led the Rattlers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
» Eastern Illinois was led offensively by senior Nicholas Rucker, who went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
» Sophomore Tyler Conklin led the Panthers pitching staff, throwing six innings of two-run ball.