The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (14-29, 6-3 MEAC) softball team celebrated senior day with a three-game series against the North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles (4-39,2-9 MEAC), winning game one by a score of 8-1.
The Lady Rattlers were able to score early and often, causing the Lady Eagles to make six fielding errors.
The Lady Eagles earned their only run in the first inning on a solo homerun to left field by sophomore catcher, Emerie Germ, from Canton, Ga.
In the fifth inning, the Lady Rattlers were able to plate four runs on three hits and three errors. The Lady Rattlers were paced by sophomore infielder Alyssa Weaver from Oldsmar, Fla., who had two of the teams three RBI’s.
Senior Pitcher Jennifer Lindsey from Jacksonville, Fla., had a strong effort, allowing only three hits the entire game.
The Lady Rattlers won the second game 8-2. The pace of play shifted as they earned the first hit in the bottom of the second on a RBI single to right field. Because the ball was misplayed, Sandage and Weaver were able to advance to second and third.
Junior infielder, Christina Robbs from Lake Worth, Fla., doubled to right field and brought in the second run of the inning. The Lady Rattlers loaded the bases but remained scoreless in the inning, stranding three runners.
The Lady Eagles got on the board in the top of the fifth on three straight hits. They were able to plate another runner before ending the inning on a play at the plate.
Kieifi Myrick, a sophomore infielder from Crawfordville, Fla., doubled to center field bringing in two runners in the bottom of the fifth inning and later scored on a sacrifice fly for the Lady Rattlers.
The Lady Rattlers added an additional run to take a 6-2 lead heading into the sixth inning.
Myrick added another RBI double in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 7-2.
The Lady Rattlers added on one more run to maintain the final margin of 8-2.
“On defense we just stayed under control and made sure we took our time,” said Ashanti Shepherd, a senior right fielder from Moore Haven, Fla.
Lindsey was able to pick up two wins Saturday as she came in relief and pitched three scoreless innings in game two.
“Today was special because we came out here and put up a good performance in front of our families and supporters,” Lindsey said. “The two wins today were satisfying, we played well as a team.”
In the series finale, the Lady Eagles were able to put one on the board in the first inning after an overthrow from Shepherd.
To lead off the top of the second inning for the Lady Eagles, Markell Wylie and London Germ hit back to back standup triples to right field with the infield playing in to take a 2-0 advantage.
Lindsey was able to end the Lady Eagles hitting streak by striking out the next three batters, leaving Germ stranded at third.
In the bottom of the second, the Lady Rattlers scored their first run when senior catcher Robbielyn Roberson of Jasper, Fla. plated off of an error from third baseman, Camille Hampton.
Pinch runner for junior Genesis Lopez, a junior from Hialeah, Fla., Bianca Torres,a junior from Kissimmee, Fla., was able to steal home off of another error from Hampton, tying the game at two.
In the top of the fourth, the Lady Eagles were able to load the bases and eventually score three runs off a double to center field by Germ.
A line drive down the third base line by Hampton brought in the final run of the inning for the Lady Eagles, making the score 6-2.
The Lady Rattlers came back strong in the bottom on the fourth with a lead-off single to left center by Weaver.
Next up was Robbs who singled to short putting Weaver in scoring position at second. After a fielder’s choice, which advanced the runners to second and third, right fielder, Brielle Gordon, singled to center to bring in Weaver and Robbs.
Robbs was the last runner to score for the Lady Rattlers as they left four runners stranded from the fifth inning on, losing 6-4.
Gordon was able to go 3-4 Sunday while driving in two RBI’s and contributing in the field with an assist to second in the top of the third inning.
“I just wanted to do something for my team. I just wanted to get them in,” Gordon said when asked about her performance.
The Lady Rattlers will look to bounce back on Wednesday, April 24 when they return to the James Messer Sport Complex for a single game against Alabama State University Lady Hornets at 5 p.m.