FAMU Takes Both Games in DH Action Saturday

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M took both games of a doubleheader Saturday at Moore-Kittles Field as the Alcorn State University baseball program fell 21-4 in the first game and 11-3 in the second.
 
Nicholas Hayes-Saltare led the Braves (3-4) in the first game as the senior from Hollywood, Fla. hit 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. A.J. Makarewicz went 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI and had Alcorn's other double. Wallace Rios Jimenez brought in the other run and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Defensively, Kyle Jenkins recorded a team-high five putouts, while Hayes-Saltare had three with three assists.
 
George Osborne III (0-2) took the loss after getting tagged for seven earned runs on four hits and as many walks. He struck out a pair in 3.0 innings of work. Joe Smith, Tyler Smith, and Brandon Thomas also appeared in relief.
 
FAMU (4-4) jumped out to an early lead in the first contest with four runs in the bottom of the first. After back-to-back walks, a single drove in the hosts' first run and put runners on the corners. Octavien Moyer then drove one over the left-field fence to bring in the other three.
 
After the Rattlers added a run in the second, Alcorn posted a pair in the top of the third. Hayes-Saltare led off with a single through the left side and Wilbert Malphus followed with a single to the shortstop. Both runners moved up on a passed ball, and a Rios Jimenez groundout put the Braves on the board. Makarewicz then doubled to left center for the second run.
 
Alcorn added another two in the fourth as Jenkins singled through the left side and Brendly Martina was hit by a pitch. Hayes-Saltare then hit a one-out double to left to score both runners, cutting the lead to 5-4. Following a fly out, the Braves proceeded to load the bases with back-to-back walk, but could not take advantage as the FAMU pitcher induced a fly out to the first baseman. It would come back to haunt Alcorn as the Rattlers broke open the game with 12 runs on seven hits and an error in the bottom half of the inning. The home team then added a run in the fifth and three more in the sixth for the final tally.
 
In game two, Der'Vincent Hamilton batted 1-for-2 with a two-run homer to left, a pair of walks, two RBIs, and a run. Rios Jimenez earned the other RBI as he hit 2-for-2 with a double, two walks, and a run. Jenkins was 2-for-4 with a double. In the field, the Jacksonville, Fla. product recorded five putouts with two assists.
 
Bukhari Brown (0-1) was handed the loss after giving up five earned runs on five hits and a walk. He fanned three FAMU batters in 2.2 innings of work. Jose Fernandez pitched 2.1 innings of relief and Regynold Johnson tossed the final 1.0 inning.

The Rattlers posted the first run of the game in the bottom of the first on a solo shot to left. Alcorn would respond in the top of the third as Rios Jimenez drew a base on balls and Makarewicz flew out to right. Hamilton then gave Alcorn its only lead of the day with his shot over the left-field fence.
 
FAMU took back control with four runs on four hits, a sacrifice fly, and two walks in the bottom frame. In the top of the fourth, Malphus led off with a double to right center and Christian Acklin laid down a sac bunt to move him up to third. Rios Jimenez then singled up the middle to bring in the run, but it would be Alcorn's last of the day. The Rattlers added another four in the fifth and two in the sixth for the 11-3 final.
 
The teams will wrap up the four-game series tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for noon.
 
#FearTheBrave