TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman first baseman Danny Rodriguez hit his second home run of the season on Sunday, but it was not enough as the Wildcats fell in the series finale against Florida A&M, 5-3 at Moore-Kittles Field. Bethune-Cookman fell in both games of a doubleheader against FAMU on Saturday.
With Bethune-Cookman (5-10, 0-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) trailing by four runs entering the ninth inning, freshman Danny Rodriguez lifted a 2-1 fastball over the left field fence to bring the Wildcats to within 5-3, via the leadoff homer. Third baseman Trent Nash followed with a single to center, advancing to second on the play with an error charged to the Florida A&M outfield.
However, FAMU (11-5, 3-0 MEAC) closer Hunter Fillingim would pick up back-to-back strikeouts to close the game and give the homestanding Rattlers a series sweep of the Wildcats. For the Maroon and Gold, the MEAC series sweep is the first of its kind in more than a decade.
Bethune-Cookman would start the game hot, plating a run in the opening half-inning.
Freshman right fielder Akevious Williams singled to start the game, later stealing second and advancing to third on the first of four FAMU errors on the afternoon. Williams was driven in two plays later with a sacrifice fly to shallow left from designated hitter Michael Cruz.
FAMU would answer in the bottom of the frame with a pair of runs to grab a 2-1 lead – a lead it would never relinquish.
The Rattlers used a two-out single to centerfield from designated hitter Cameron Johnson to score Marlon Gibbs and Alec Wong.
Florida A&M would eventually chase Bethune-Cookman starting pitcher Alex Seibold in the second inning, as the Rattlers plated three additional runs.
With the bases full of Rattlers and two away in the bottom of the second, first baseman Dylan Dillard plated a pair of runs with a RBI single to left, and allowed Ellzey to score on the play with one of three B-CU errors on the afternoon.
Alexis Herrera entered the game to finish the second inning on the mound for the Wildcats.
Herrera would throw 3.2 innings in relief, allowing just three hits, one walk and striking out two. Joseph Calamita also saw quality time on the hill, throwing 1.2 innings with a walk and a strikeout.
The win went to FAMU's Chase Jerrell (2-1) who worked 7.2 innings, allowed two unearned runs on seven hits and collected a career-best six strikeouts against just one walk. Hunter Fillingim earned his second save in as many games by working the ninth inning, allowing just the Danny Rodriguez leadoff homer.
Three Wildcats picked up two hits apiece on the day in the form of Akevious Williams, Michael Cruz and Clay Middleton. All were 2-for-4, respectfully.
Bethune-Cookman looks to bounce back in its next game when the Wildcats play host to North Florida on Tuesday, March 15, at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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