TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Rickwood Field is the nation’s oldest surviving ballpark,filled with history and tradition. Unfortunately, it will not be a part of Florida A&M’s history, as the Rattlers fell to Bethune-Cookman in heartbreaking fashion, 11-9 in Sunday’s SWAC Championship game.
The Wildcats scored three in the bottom of the second inning, and held FAMU scoreless until the sixth inning, when they used two two run homeruns to take a 9-3 lead.
The two exchanged runs, with FAMU leading 9-8 heading into the bottom of the ninth, which is where the Rattlers fell. With two outs, and two runners on, Andrey Martinez hit a three run homerun to straight away centerfield to walk off the victory for the Wildcats.
“There’s not a whole lot you can say,” said head coach Jamey Shouppe. “I don’t know if they’re really listening to you right now because they’re so emotional and you can understand that. I’ve had the pleasure of going to a bunch of regionals, and for many of those guys that would have been their first one. It was just within reach. You know how hard it is when something is right there within reach, and you’re not able to grab it.”
FAMU finished the season 33-25.
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