Florida A&M vs Southern University
In the top of the first inning to start the game, Florida A&M went three and out. The the bottom of the inning was a much different story as Southern jumped all over Rattlers starter Shawn Host for three runs.
Jaylen Armstrong led off the inning with a walk. Jovante Dorris doubled down the left field line scoring Armstrong. Tremaine Spears walked. A wild pitch moved runners up a base. Taj Porter singled to left field scoring both Dorris and Spears for an early 3-0 lead.
FAMU plated two runs in the top of the fourth inning. After Ty Hanchey singled to right field and LJ Bryant walked, Robert Robinson doubled down the right field line scoring Bryant making it a 3-2 Southern lead.
Florida A&M would take the lead in the game adding two runs in the fifth inning. The inning started after back-to-back singles by Wil Brown and Jared Weber, back-to-back walks, and Hanchey’s single put FAMU up 4-3.
Southern tied the game 4-4 on a Michael Latulas home run to right field. Both teams were warned as words were exchanged between the teams. Southern’s Joseph Battaglia was ejected.
Southern jumped right back in the game scoring two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 6-4 lead.
FAMU rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth inning to take a 7-6 lead.
In the bottom of the ninth, after the first two batters made outs, FAMU relief pitcher Ben Krizen walked the next two batters he faced before Burgos singled through the right infield to knot up the score at 7-7. Krizen struck out Spears to send the game into extras.
In the top of the tenth inning, Weber singled and Rowell walked, Hanchey singled to right field scoring Weber. The next batter, LJ Bryant, blasted a three run home to go up 11-7.
Southern went three up and three down for the Rattler win.
Below is Florida A&M head coach Jamey Shouppe’s post game interview:
Bethune Cookman vs Alabama State
Bethune Cookman went three up and three down to open the semi-final game of the SWAC Tournament. In the bottom of the first inning, Alabama State leadoff hitter Cory King was hit by a pitch from Bethune Cookman starter Alec Mendez. After the next two outs Hunter May homered to right center for a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third inning, the Cats would get a run back. Jan Reyes singled to center field. Matthew Garcia doubled to left field plating Reyes for a 2-1 score.
In the bottom half of the third inning, Alabama State got the run back on a home run off the bat of Cristopher DeGuzman to go up 3-1. The Hornets scored a run in the sixth inning. King doubled to left field, Jamison grounded out to shortstop King advanced to third, DeGuzman sacrificed to right field scoring King which would stand 4-1 as the final score. Alabama State moves on the SWAC championship game Sunday.
Austin King (6-3) threw a nine inning complete game win allowing eight hits and one earned run. It was his first complete game of the season.
Florida A&M vs Southern University
Southern jumped on FAMU starter Dallas Tease for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. With two runners on base, Tremaine Spears homered to center field taking a 3-0 advantage. The Jaguars scored again in the bottom of the second inning. JJ Rollon struck out swinging, reached first on a wild pitch, stole second base, scored on a Jaylen Armstrong run batted in triple to center field for a 4-0 lead.
Southern picked up another run on a double by Hunter Tabbs scoring Spears to increase its lead to 5-0.
Florida A&M plated its first runs of the ball game. Wil Brown reached on a fielding error by Southern infielder Jovante Dorris. Jared Weber walked, Brown advanced to second. Jalen Niles singled through the right side, Brown scored and Weber advanced to third. Grant Rowell’s infield ground out to first plated Weber cutting the deficit to 5-2.
Southern would add four runs in the bottom of the seventh and another in the eighth inning for a commanding 10-2 win. Southern will meet Alabama State Sunday to decide the 2022 SWAC Conference Champion.
Below is Southern head coach Chris Crenshaw post game interview: