TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida A&M scored in five of seven innings Saturday and sent Mississippi Valley State to a mercy-rule defeat, rolling to a 14-4 victory in Southwestern Athletic Conference play at home.
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FAMU erupted for three runs in the first inning and never looked back, forcing the early conclusion after seven innings when the 10-run mercy rule took effect. The Rattlers pounded out 12 hits, drew nine walks and received a solid outing from starter
Garrett Workman, who went five innings while allowing just two earned runs.
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Right fielder
Jordan Brown drove in three runs out of the nine hole, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base in arguably his most productive game of the season. Designated hitter
Jackson McKenzie went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a hit-by-pitch, while center fielder
Caden Kresak had perhaps the best day at the plate for any Rattler, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored.
Third baseman
Jay Campbell reached base five times, drawing two walks and knocking in an RBI to go with two runs scored. Shortstop
Matthew Perez was equally difficult to retire, working three walks against a Delta Devil pitching staff that issued nine free passes on the afternoon. First baseman
Josue Figueroa contributed an RBI single in the middle of the order, and catcher
Ethan Miller drove in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies.
The Rattlers wasted no time establishing control. After Workman set Mississippi Valley down in order in the top of the first, FAMU loaded the bases and never stopped putting pressure on Delta Devil pitching. A wild pitch scored the first run, an RBI single by McKenzie plated two more, and a sacrifice fly from Miller capped a three-run opening frame that set the tone for the afternoon.
Mississippi Valley starter Lucas Valencia was chased after just one inning having walked four batters and allowed three earned runs. Three relievers followed but none could slow the Rattler attack, as FAMU added runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings to pull away emphatically.
Workman earned the win, scattering six hits across five innings while striking out five.
Ryan Young came on to close out the final two frames, fanning four of the eight batters he faced.
KEY STATS
Batting — Florida A&M
Caden Kresak — 3-5, 2B, 2 R, RBI
Jordan Brown — 2-4, 3 RBI, SB, R
Jackson McKenzie — 2-4, HBP, 2 RBI, R
Jay Campbell — 1-3, 2 BB, RBI, 2 R
Matthew Perez — 1-2, 3 BB, RBI, 2 R
Josue Figueroa — 1-3, BB, 2 RBI, R
Ethan Miller — 0-2, 2 BB, 2 SF, 2 RBI, R
Alex Monile — 2-3, 2B, 2 R (pinch hit)
Pitching — Florida A&M
Garrett Workman (W) — 5.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Ryan Young — 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K
