TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida A&M erupted for 11 runs over the final four innings Friday night to rout Texas Southern 13-2 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.

The Rattlers, who entered with a 26-22 record, collected 15 hits while holding the Tigers to 10. Texas Southern fell to 18-20.

The game was tied 1-1 after four innings, but Florida A&M took control in the fifth. After the Tigers had scored twice in the top of the fourth on an RBI single by Derek Gipson and an RBI single by Anthony Ruiz, the Rattlers answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth on a double-play groundout. Then in the fifth, Florida A&M sent eight batters to the plate and scored four runs to seize a 5-2 lead.

Will Brown was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Caden Kresak singled, and Jay Campbell followed with an RBI single that plated Brown and moved Kresak to third. Jackson McKenzie then reached on an RBI single that scored Campbell and Kresak, with McKenzie advancing to third on a fielding error. An Ethan Miller sacrifice fly brought home McKenzie, and the Rattlers added another run later in the inning on a hit batter and a stolen base.

Florida A&M kept pouring it on in the sixth, adding an unearned run when Brown stole third and scored on a throwing error. The Rattlers broke the game open in the seventh with five more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Josue Figueroa and an RBI double from Kresak. Shortstop Matthew Perez capped the scoring in the eighth with a three-run home run to left field, his first of the game.

Perez was the top performer for Florida A&M, going 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBIs. He has been hot in recent games, going 3-for-4 with an RBI in Thursday’s 4-2 win over Texas Southern and recording at least one hit in four of his last five contests.

Right fielder Caden Kresak finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Designated hitter Jackson McKenzie went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Third baseman Jay Campbell added two hits and an RBI. First baseman Josue Figueroa drove in two runs.

On the mound, Florida A&M used three pitchers. Starter Garrett Workman went 5⅓ innings, allowing nine hits and two earned runs while striking out two. Clark Lincoln relieved and tossed 2⅔ scoreless innings, giving up one hit and striking out three. Workman earned the win.

For Texas Southern, catcher Miguel Morales was the offensive standout, going 3-for-4. Starting pitcher Jose Luccioni lasted 4⅓ innings, surrendering no hits but two earned runs – both on walks and hit batters – while striking out one. Kevin Braziel took the loss after allowing two earned runs in 1⅔ innings of relief, though he also did not give up a hit.

The Tigers managed only two runs, both in the fourth inning. After Byron Robinson singled and Morales singled, a double play moved Robinson to third. Gipson then singled to left center to bring home Robinson, and Anthony Ruiz singled to left center to score Gipson.

Florida A&M grounded into two double plays but otherwise dominated. The Rattlers had seven players with at least one hit, and their lineup consistently put pressure on Texas Southern pitchers, drawing five walks and benefiting from two hit batters.

Texas Southern had a few opportunities, leaving eight runners on base, but could not mount a rally against the Rattlers’ bullpen. The Tigers struck out seven times.

The win evened the weekend series at one game apiece after Florida A&M won Thursday’s opener 4-2. The teams meet again Saturday for the series finale.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Florida A&M 5, Texas Southern 4, and its ELO system gave the Rattlers a 65.50 percent probability to win.