The baseball team put together a four-run fourth inning to secure a victory against the visiting Dolphins, 6-5, on Tuesday.
The Rattlers found themselves trailing early as the Jacksonville University Dolphins jumped out to a 4-1 lead through three innings.
Senior infielder Scott Schaub hit a two-run single in the first inning to kick things off for the Dolphins (10-21) as they grabbed a 2-0 lead.
The Rattlers (13-19) answered back when senior infielder Bennie Robinson stormed for home on a fielding error, trimming the deficit to 2-1.
Jacksonville then scored two more runs in the second and third innings, thanks to an RBI groundout by junior infielder Angelo Amendolare and a triple by Schaub, who would end up scoring on a Rattlers’ throwing error, increasing the lead to 4-1.
In the fourth, the Rattlers began to strike back as they would score four runs off of five hits to take a 5-4 lead.
The offensive onslaught continued for the Rattlers. With the bases loaded and no outs, junior infielder Ryan Kennedy’s fly out increased the lead to 6-4.
The Dolphins would score once again in the seventh to cut their deficit to 6-5, which proved to be the final score thanks to the pitching of William Carrasco, who sealed the deal.
Florida A&M head Coach Jamey Shouppe said he was impressed with the way his team came out and performed.
“We needed this victory,” Shouppe said. “We were embarrassed by Jacksonville a couple weeks ago, and our guys knew that and they came out and executed.”
On Wednesday, the Rattlers recorded their first shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory against the University of North Florida Ospreys (15-19).
The Rattlers picked up right where they left off, jumping out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning after a wild pitch prompted Robinson to tag up from third.
The Rattlers would score again in the third inning, increasing their lead to the final margin of 2-0.
Robinson, who hit his fifth home run of the season for the final run, said he’s just glad he was able to help his team get this victory.
“I’m just competing,” Robinson said. “I’m just trying to do whatever it takes put us in situations to win.”
Junior catcher Jeremy Barlow came up big for the Rattlers as well, finishing 3-4 at the plate.
“I just kept swinging the bat,” Barlow said. “I like the way our team is coming together and the confidence that we’ve been playing with lately.”
Next up for the Rattlers is a three-game series against the Savannah State University Tigers that kicks-off Saturday with a double-header at 1 p.m.