FAMU Walks-Off Again, Winning 6-5 in the 11th over GW

COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Rattlers (4-2) won in walk-off fashion for the second straight day, downing George Washington (2-5) by a score of 6-5 in 11 innings. The Rattlers trailed for the majority of the ball game, but they showed their resiliency once again in the late innings, rallying in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game, and walking off with the win in the eleventh.

John Capra led off the final inning with a one out single down the right field line. Brian Davis and Ben Ellzey both walked, loading the bases for freshman pinch-hitter, Eric Blanc Jr., who hit a chopper up the first base line, allowing Capra to beat the throw home and score the game’s winning run, sending the FAMU faithful off in celebration.

Trailing 5-4, FAMU rallied to tie the score and send the game to extra innings in the bottom of the ninth. Reese reached on an error and then Capra singled up the middle. Brian Davis then came through with the game tying RBI on a line drive single to left center field, scoring pinch-runner Malachi Mitchell from second.

John Capra, Ben Ellzey, and Brian Davis led the way at the plate for the Rattlers. Capra recorded four hits for the second time this season and contributed with a run scored and an RBI. Ellzey extended his hitting streak to 27 games, finishing the day 2-for-3 with three walks and his first home run of the season. Davis was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored, and two walks.

Jamie Grant (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, throwing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only one hit. Thomas Nicoll (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 K) also pitched well on the afternoon.

The Rattlers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of a two out double off the bat of sophomore Willis McDaniel. Brian Davis walked with one out, and Ben Ellzey singled to right field, placing runners on first and second. McDaniel then drove in the game’s first run on an RBI double, scoring Davis from second.

George Washington answered back in the top of the second inning with a two out double of their own. Matt Cosentino, who reached on a single through the right side, was running on the pitch and scored all the way from first base on a double by Brandon Chapman, tying the game at 1-1.

A pair of free passes came back to bite FAMU starter Ryan Anderson in the top of the third inning as George Washington jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Kashi led off the inning with a walk, and with two outs Mark Osis was hit by a pitch. The next batter for the Colonials, Bobby Campbell, homered to left field, scoring three runs.

Ben Ellzey trimmed the George Washington lead to two, on his homerun to left field in the bottom of the third inning.

Florida A&M battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, forcing the Colonials to make three pitching changes in the inning. Ty Russ got things started, drawing a one out walk. Garrett Wilkinson then singled through the left side, and Kaycee Reese followed with a walk to load the bases for Capra, who smoked a line drive single to left field, scoring the first run of the inning. Brian Davis then tied the game at 4-4 with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Colonials regained the lead at 5-4 in the top of the eighth thanks to three consecutive two-out singles. With runners on first and second, Robbie Metz delivered a single to right field, scoring Osis from second.

In the end, the Rattlers had too much fight, as they gutted out another win, stealing the second game, and clinching the series from the George Washington Colonials.

Ryan Anderson did not factor into the decision, but finished the day with six innings pitched, allowing six hits and four runs with four strikeouts.

George Washington reliever John Greeley (0-1) suffered the loss giving up one run on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings pitched.

Florida A&M and George Washington will play the final game of the three-game series tomorrow at 11:00 AM at Moore-Kittles Field.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Live Stats are also available on the baseball schedule page of FAMUAthletics.com.

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