A seventh-inning grand slam handed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff its first conference loss of the young season.
Florida A&M catcher Ethan Miller hit a go-ahead grand slam to lead the Rattlers to a 7-5 win at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex on Saturday, tying the weekend series with UAPB.
UAPB (9-15, 4-1 SWAC) starting pitcher Kenney Fabian took a no-hitter and a 5-2 lead into the seventh inning before giving up two singles and a walk to load the bases with nobody out. Fabian exited the game, giving way to reliever Jack Hasten (0-3).
Florida A&M (8-13, 3-2) first baseman Josue Figueroa walked to score a run before Miller stepped to the plate and homered to left field, giving the Rattlers a 7-5 lead.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Neither team scored afterward, with UAPB grounding into a double play in the bottom of the ninth inning to end the game. Reagan James held FAMU to one hit over the final 2 1/3 innings after Fabian had retired the Rattlers in order in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
UAPB outhit FAMU 12-5, with four of the Rattlers’ hits coming in the seventh inning, but the Golden Lions left nine runners on base. Third baseman Zach Wieder hit 3 for 4, while right fielder Blake Coleman led the team in RBIs with 2 after hitting 2 for 4. FAMU starting pitcher Garrett Workman went 5 2/3 innings and allowed 5 runs, 4 of them earned, on eight hits. Ryan Young (1-0) and Tanner Walker combined to shut out UAPB the rest of the way, allowing a combined four hits and one walk. Walker’s save was his first of the year.
The series finale between the teams will be at noon on Sunday.