TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Junior Samantha Smith hit a grand slam to help propel the Florida A&M Rattlers past the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 9-1 on Friday as the Rattlers clinched the one-seed in the SWAC East.
Freshman Zoryana Hughes (13-2) started in the circle and picked up the win for Florida A&M (22-17, 18-4). The right-hander went five innings, giving up one run on two hits, allowing no walks and striking out five.
Smith went 1-for-3 with a grand slam in addition to her four RBIs for the Rattlers. Junior Tatianna Davis put together a standout performance at the dish as well, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Senior Amaya Gainer also contributed for Florida A&M, putting together two hits in two trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rattlers got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Florida A&M scored three runs in the frame, highlighted by a two-run single off the bat of Davis.
The Rattlers then held the Bulldogs scoreless before getting back on the board the very next inning. The Florida A&M offense exploded for five runs, highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Smith, which brought the Rattlers lead to 8-0.
Florida A&M held Alabama A&M scoreless before expanding their lead to 9-0 the following inning. The Rattlers scored once on an RBI single off the bat of Gainer. Alabama A&M put one run on the scoreboard before the game was over, but Florida A&M still coasted to the 9-1 win.
GAME NOTES
» Senior Nyomi Jones had three base knocks in the game for Florida A&M.
» Hughes struck out five Bulldogs hitters.
» Smith drove in four runs for Florida A&M.
» Florida A&M's highest scoring inning was the second, when it pushed five runs across.
» Florida A&M took a 3-0 lead in the bottom half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Rattlers out-hit the Bulldogs at a 12-2 clip.
» Florida A&M went 5-for-9 (.556) with runners in scoring position.
» Florida A&M pitchers faced 17 Alabama A&M hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and three fly balls while striking out five.
» Smith led the Rattlers at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and four RBI.
» Alabama A&M was led offensively by C. Hickey, who went 1-for-2 with a triple.
» P. Scott led the Bulldogs pitching staff, throwing 2.2 innings of two-run ball.
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