Box Score
GULFPORT, Miss.- Florida A&M defeated Alabama State 2-1 and Jackson State 4-0 to advance to the SWAC Championship on Sunday, which is slated for a 9:00 a.m. CST start.
Junior Amari Brown was impressive on Saturday, hurling a one-hit shutout to lead FAMU past JSU 4-0. Brown went the distance for FAMU , giving up one hit, walking two and striking out two.
At the plate, the Rattlers were paced by Brown, who went 2-for-4 on the day with two doubles and three RBI. Freshman Braxtyn Battle furnished a standout performance at the dish as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Senior Kiauna Watson also chipped in for FAMU, putting together two hits in four trips to the plate.
The Rattlers took the lead for good in the first, scoring for the first time in the inning. FAMU got on the board thanks to Brown's RBI double with two outs.
FAMU then tacked on runs in the second, fifth, and seventh innings, with their biggest output coming in the seventh when they scored one time.
GAME NOTES
» Brown tossed a one-hit shutout for the Rattlers.
» The Rattlers power output was led by Brown, who picked up two extra base hits in the ballgame.
» FAMU took a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first and didn't surrender that lead for the remainder of the game.
» The Rattlers out-hit the Tigers at a 10-1 clip.
» FAMU pitchers faced 23 JSU hitters in the game, allowing 13 ground balls and five fly balls while striking out two.
» Brown led the Rattlers at the plate, going 2 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI.
» JSU was led offensively by senior Mari Stephens, who went 0 for 1.
» Junior Madison McDowell led the Tigers pitching staff, throwing two innings of one-run ball.
Game One
Box Score
Keeleigh Spooner's solo walk-off home run off of sophomore Kohana Pousson lifted FAMU past ASU 2-1 on Saturday.
Sophomore Zoryana Hughes (12-6) started in the circle and picked up the win for FAMU (27-19). The left-hander went seven innings, giving up one run on six hits, allowing three walks and striking out six.
In the batter's box, the Rattlers were paced by Spooner, who went 1-for-1 on the day with a home run, two walks and an RBI. Freshman Jamison Townsend put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 2-for-4. Junior Amari Brown also chipped in for Florida A&M, putting together one hit in four trips to the plate while adding a double.
The Rattlers got on the scoreboard first, starting in the third inning. FAMU got an RBI single from senior Samantha Smith, scoring Brown from second base.
ASU then rallied to tie the ballgame at 1-1 before FAMU walked it off in the bottom of the seventh on Spooner's two-out solo home run off of Pousson.
GAME NOTES
» Hughes struck out six Hornets hitters.
» The Rattlers out-hit the Hornets at an 8-6 clip.
» The Rattlers drew four walks from Alabama State pitching.
» ASU was led offensively by freshman Jaibriel Terrell, who went 2 for 4 with a double and a triple.
» Pousson led the Hornets pitching staff, throwing 6.2 innings of two-run ball.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.