The Florida A&M University softball team added another pair of wins Saturday to their undefeated Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference record.
The Lady Rattlers swept North Carolina A&T in a home doubleheader, winning the first game 10-2, and the second bout 3-1.
In game one, the Lady Rattlers (18-25, 5-0 MEAC) started off the first inning with a little assistance from North Carolina A&T; after several illegal pitches the Rattlers received their first run.
The Aggies miscues on the mound led to outfielder Rhianna Green’s first run score for FAMU.
The Lady Aggies would later fight back as Lillian Bullock hit a single, sending home Jessie Larson putting the Lady Aggies on the board at the top of the second inning.
Pitcher Amanda Reyes had a superb performance for the Rattlers.
The junior from Scotts Valley, Ca., picked up the win for FAMU, only allowing two earned runs, six hits, and seven strikeouts throughout five innings.
After the single by Bullock, the Lady Rattlers began to dominate. At the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Rattlers scored four unanswered runs on outstanding hitting from junior Melissa Oliphant.
Nicole Terryn, a senior from Panama City, and freshman Brianna Weaver from Oldsmar, both had a game high of three hits to give FAMU a 7-2 lead over the Lady Aggies going into the fifth inning.
At the bottom of the fifth, the Lady Rattlers would again take advantage of the Lady Aggies many errors, as outfielder, Raven Johnson, would bring in another unforced run for the Lady Rattlers.
First baseman Shayla Clark, a sophomore from Wesley Chapel, put the Lady Rattlers on the board by hitting a single and scoring Rhianna Green.
A single by freshman Megan Moore, a native from Decatur, Ga., gave the Lady Rattlers a 10-2 lead and a win with the eight-run rule going into effect.
“I thought that we played today with a lot of confidence and heart,” said first baseman, Shayla Clark. “Our performance showed that we really wanted to make a statement in the conference.”
Furthermore, in the second game of the doubleheader, the Lady Rattlers would strike again, defeating the Lady Aggies 3-1.
Once again, the Lady Rattlers would score early on at the bottom of the third inning as Green scored on an A&T infield error to give FAMU a 1-0 lead.
Later in the top of the fourth, the Lady Aggies would tie the game with a homerun from infielder Lillian Bullock.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Rattlers would make another run as both Brianna Weaver and Melissa Oliphant scored on more infield errors from the Lady Aggies to give FAMU another win.
“Our ladies have really stepped up to the challenge and put on a good performance,” said Assistant Coach Lori Goodart.
Coach Veronica Wiggins was also proud of her team’s performance and unity.
“In the beginning it took us a little time to come together as one unit, but now I think were playing together as a team and its showing on the field,” Wiggins said.