Florida A&M University and Central Connecticut State University each secured a win during their Saturday baseball doubleheader in Tallahassee. Florida A&M took the opening game with a 4-0 shutout, while Central Connecticut State responded by winning the second game 4-1.
In the first matchup, Florida A&M’s pitching was key to their victory. Graduate right-hander Caleb Granger started for the Rattlers and delivered 6.1 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and one walk, while striking out seven batters. Cody Williams provided relief to complete the combined shutout effort. The Rattlers limited Central Connecticut State to just two hits throughout the game.
Offensively, Florida A&M broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Alex Monile scored the game’s first run. The team added another run in the fifth and pulled away with two more in the sixth inning, highlighted by Colton Ryals’ RBI single. Ryals finished 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Every starter reached base safely as Florida A&M out-hit Central Connecticut State 11-2 and went 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
The second game saw Central Connecticut State build an early lead that Florida A&M could not overcome. The Blue Devils led 3-0 before Justen Crews tripled home Colton Ryals in the fifth inning to make it 3-1. However, that would be as close as Florida A&M would get.
Matthew Perez paced Florida A&M’s offense in Game 2 with three hits, while Crews contributed both an RBI triple and a walk. Despite drawing five walks overall, Florida A&M was unable to deliver additional runs.
Garrett Workman started on the mound for Florida A&M but took the loss. Reliever Tanner Walker threw 4.1 innings of one-run ball without issuing any walks and struck out five batters to keep his team within reach.
Both teams will look ahead to continue their seasons following this split series opener.
