The Rattlerettes wrung their bats out Tuesday night, hoping for a torrent of hits to flow forth and end an early-season drought at the plate.
Again, FAMU only saw a trickle.
FAMU eked out one hit in the opener and three hits for the evening as Troy State rolled to a 5-0, 7-1 twilight doubleheader sweep at Rattlerette Softball Complex.
After scoring 11 runs in an opening weekend sweep of Georgia Southern, the slumping Rattlerettes (3-7) have plated a combined four runs over its last eight games, losing seven. Tuesday’s struggles at the plate dropped the FAMU team batting average to a woeful .133 for the season.
In the outfield after the twinbill, coach Veronica Wiggins pulled out a full schedule from her pocket. Wiggins said she tried to emphasize to her young team that they are only 10 games into a 60 game season.
“We’re trying everything. We shook up the defense today,” Wiggins said. “It takes time.”
Troy State (3-1) struck early, scratching out two runs in the first three innings of game 1, aided by Javetta Dryer’s third inning throwing error.
In the nightcap, the Lady Trojans struck for five runs in the third, breaking open a 1-1 game. With two outs and nobody on, game 2 starter Dryer walked Peggy Swift. Catcher Tamra Howren followed with a drive the wind pushed over the temporary fence in left center. FAMU center fielder Nkese Reed barreled over a portion of the fence, just missing a spectacular catch.
“I try to be aggressive. Sometimes the ball is just over the fence,” Reed said.
The damage continued as second baseman Molly Homer turned on a Dryer fastball three batters later, crushing a home run to straightaway left for a 6-1 lead.
“It was a fat pitch down the middle. I was just on,” Homer said.
Cassie Wilkenson pitched a complete game for Troy State, giving up only two hits and no earned runs.