DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The FAMU Rattlers baseball team was focused on knocking off the MEAC defending champion Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats, but the bats of the champs overcame the will of the Rattlers in the first round of the MEAC Baseball Championship, here today at Jackie Robinson Park in Daytona Beach.

FAMU went up 2-0 in the top of the first inning.  The Wildcats came back in the bottom of the inning to score two quick runs.  The Rattler defense would then allow two errors, which could have ended the inning.  Instead, BCU belted in seven more runs, which resulted in a 9-2, B-CU lead after one inning of play.

David Duncan took the loss for the Rattlers, which was characterized by Rattler errors that resulted in the extension of innings.  The Rattlers would settle down in the second inning to hold the Wildcats scoreless.

B-CU would score three runs in both the third and fourth innings, fueled by a Ryan Durrence homer over the left field fence.  Peter O'Brien would get in the act in the bottom of the sixth, also belting a home run for B-CU.

Corey Franklin and Tobi Adeyemi were the leading hitters for the Rattlers, with two hits each.  Adeyemi cranked a fastball over the left field fence in the top of the sixth inning, for a two-run homer.  He garnered three RBIs for the game.

The game would end in the seventh inning after the Rattlers batted, due to the 10-run rule. 

The Wildcats advance in the winner's bracket and get a bye until Friday at 2 p.m.  The Rattlers will face the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, tomorrow at 10 a.m at Jackie Robinson Field.