BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --The Florida A&M Rattlers held a 9-8 lead into the ninth inning, but could not hold on and fell 11-9 to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Sunday.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing 3-0, the Rattlers first put runs on the board in the sixth inning.

The game remained tied until the very next inning, when the Rattlers got going again on offense. Florida A&M hit two home runs in the inning on the way to pushing four runs across. which brought the Rattlers lead to 7-3.

Bethune-Cookman narrowed Florida A&M's lead to 7-6 before the Rattlers stretched the advantage to 9-6 in the eighth inning. The Rattlers pushed two runs across on a two-run double from freshman Jay Campbell that brought home sophomore Josue Figueroa and junior William Brown. The Rattlers were unable to hold the lead, as Bethune-Cookman scored five times over the remaining one inning to grab the 11-9 win.

GAME NOTES
» Every Rattlers starter reached base safely in the loss.
» Florida A&M's highest scoring inning was the seventh, when it pushed four runs across.
» Florida A&M pitchers faced 47 Bethune-Cookman hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 13 fly balls while striking out four.
» The Rattlers drew six walks from Bethune-Cookman pitching.
» Junior Justen Crews led the Rattlers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.
» Bethune-Cookman was led offensively by junior Andrey Martinez, who went 3 for 6 with a home run and four RBIs.
» Junior Edwin Sanchez led the Wildcats pitching staff, throwing five innings of two-run ball.