ITTA BENA, Miss. --The Florida A&M Rattlers took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and never surrendered the advantage on the way to a 6-3 win against the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes on Friday.

Junior Samantha Smith (8-12) got the win for Florida A&M (19-17, 15-4). The right-hander went seven innings, giving up three runs, one earned, on one hit, allowing four walks and striking out three.

Offensively, the Rattlers were paced by senior Amaya Gainer, who went 1-for-4 on the day with two RBI. Junior Kiauna Watson put together a standout effort as well, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. Freshman Delacia DeLeslin also contributed for Florida A&M, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Rattlers got the scoring started early, putting one run on the board in the top of the first inning. Senior Nyah Morgan came across to score the lone run of the inning for Florida A&M and get them on the board.

After the Delta Devilettes rallied to tie the ballgame at one, the Rattlers came back to retake the lead in the fourth inning. Gainer's run-scoring single highlighted an inning where Florida A&M scored twice, which brought the Rattlers lead to 3-1.

Florida A&M kept Mississippi Valley State scoreless before building their lead to 6-1 in the sixth inning. Mississippi Valley State put two runs on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Florida A&M still held on for the 6-3 win.

GAME NOTES

» Florida A&M's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed three runs across.
» Florida A&M grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Rattlers out-hit the Delta Devilettes at a 7-1 clip.
» Senior Mia Blasingane stole two bases in Friday's game.
» The Rattlers swiped five bases as a team.
» Florida A&M pitchers faced 27 Mississippi Valley State hitters in the game, allowing 15 ground balls and two fly balls while striking out three.
» Gainer led the Rattlers at the plate, going 1-for-4 with two RBI.
» Mississippi Valley State was led offensively by freshman Taylor. Fuller, who went 0-for-0.
» Junior Morgan Gutierrez led the Delta Devilettes pitching staff, throwing seven innings of six-run ball.

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