COVINGTON, Ga. -- Florida A&M stacked two complete efforts Saturday, pulling away for a 6-2 win over Hampton before erupting late for a 9-4 victory over North Carolina Central to finish the day with a statement-making sweep. The Rattlers showed balance across both games, combining timely power, clean situational hitting and strong work in the circle to secure both wins.
Florida A&M 6, Hampton 2
Florida A&M broke open a tight game with a five-run fifth inning after Hampton briefly tied it at 2-2.
Samantha Smith led the offensive surge, going 2-for-2 with a home run and two RBIs, while
Ciara Maple added a run-scoring double and finished with one hit and one RBI.
In the circle,
Zoryana Hughes tossed a complete game, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts across seven innings. She settled in after Hampton's two-run fifth and retired the final seven batters she faced as Florida A&M closed it out.
Florida A&M 9, North Carolina Central 4
Florida A&M answered every challenge in the nightcap, then delivered the knockout with a six-run sixth inning powered by a barrage of home runs.
Jordan Douglas sparked the Rattlers with a two-run homer in the fourth, then added another solo shot in the sixth.
Ciara Maple belted a two-run homer,
Amari Brown launched a two-run homer, and
Samantha Smith followed with a solo blast as Florida A&M turned a one-run deficit into a five-run win in a matter of at-bats. Townsend tripled and scored twice, while Florida A&M finished with nine runs on nine hits.
Amari Brown earned the win after working five innings, and
Samantha Smith closed the door in relief, allowing no runs over the final 1 1/3 innings with two strikeouts.
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