FAMU’s men’s baseball team fell short to the Mercer Bears in their second straight game Tuesday afternoon at Moore-Kittles field. Although FAMU lost the game 8-7, the Rattlers pushed through thirteen innings and had fans on the edge of their seats.
The Rattlers came into this game looking to bounce back after a 21-5 loss to the Bears on Monday. Out of the Southern Conference (SoCon), the Bears are currently 3-1 on the season.
On the other hand, the Rattlers have gotten off to a rocky start. According to FAMUAthletics.com, going into this game, the team was 0-4 and looking to quickly turn things around as they searched for their first win of the season.
The Rattlers started the game off hot, jumping out to a quick 3-0 start in the first inning over the Bears. Towards the bottom of the second inning, Rattler’s second baseman, Joseph Perineie, struck a double hit to the far-right field, which helped the rattlers get off to an early 7-1 lead.
“The game plan today was to come out and attack,” Pierini said. “I think we did a really good job as hitters with attacking…if we continue to play like this we will win a lot of our games.”
Later in the fourth inning, Mercer began to show signs of a comeback as catcher Ben Olson recorded a double hit to midfield, leaving it out of range for Rattler outfielders. The Bears ended the top of the inning strong, bringing the game to 7-3.
The Bears began to heat up early in the 8th inning as sophomore Eli Runyan hit a single home run to bring the score to 7-5. Shortly after, outfielder Ty Dalley hit a double home run getting the game close as the Bears tied the Rattlers 7-7.
The Rattlers had difficulty ending the top of the 8th inning as the Bears recorded four hits in a row.
Ahamad Kebe, a fourth-year broadcast journalism major, spoke about the intensity of the matchup. “During the back end of the game, around the bottom of the ninth inning, I just knew we were in for a long ride,” Said Kebe. “Both teams were in a solid stalemate, and the game was up in the air, I enjoyed it.”
The contest was tied after the ninth inning, sending the game into extra innings. The Rattlers allowed a crucial run in the thirteenth inning, giving Mercer the 8-7 edge in the game.
Heading into the bottom of the thirteenth inning, the Rattler’s backs were against the wall as the team’s last chance to tie or win the game.
The rattlers were unsuccessful, facing three strikeouts in a row, ending the game 8-7 and falling to 0-5 on the year.
The rattlers will travel to New Orleans, LA, to take on Southern University in the Andre Dawson Classic.