GULFPORT, Miss. --The Florida A&M Rattlers needed nine innings to finish the job, but earned the 3-2 extra-innings win, walking it off on a single off the bat of freshman Jamison Townsend to claim victory over the Grambling State Tigers on Tuesday.
Senior Samantha Smith (6-4) picked up the victory out of the bullpen for Florida A&M (24-18). The right-hander went 4.1 shutout innings while giving up four hits, allowing two walks and striking out two. Sophomore Zoryana Hughes also made an impact in the circle for the Rattlers, starting the ballgame and throwing 4.2 innings, giving up two runs, all earned, on five hits, with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Offensively, the Rattlers were paced by freshman Ciara Maple, who went 3-for-5 on the day. Senior Kiauna Watson compiled a standout performance at the plate as well, going 2-for-4 with a walk. Junior Keeleigh Spooner also helped out for Florida A&M, putting together one hit in three trips to the plate while adding a walk and an RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Rattlers were trailing 2-0 in the fourth inning when they first put runs on the board. Maple came across to score the lone run of the inning for Florida A&M and get them on the board.
The Rattlers kept the deficit at 2-1 before tying the score in the sixth. Florida A&M scored a run when Spooner drew a walk from freshman Audrey Richardson that scored Maple, which evened the score at 2-2.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth, when Florida A&M walked it off on an RBI single off the bat of Townsend.
GAME NOTES
» Maple compiled three base knocks in the game for Florida A&M.
» Hughes struck out seven Tigers hitters.
» Every Florida A&M starter reached base safely in the win.
» Florida A&M's highest scoring inning was the ninth, when it pushed one run across.
» The Rattlerettes out-hit the Tigers at a 12-9 clip.
» Florida A&M pitchers faced 39 Grambling hitters in the game, allowing nine ground balls and seven fly balls while striking out nine.
» Maple led the Rattlerettes at the plate, going 3 for 5.
» Grambling was led offensively by sophomore Kamryn Broussard, who went 2 for 4 with a double.
» Richardson led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing 8.2 innings of three-run ball.
The Rattlers will play Alabama State on Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EST.
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