Florida A&M pitcher Rhianna Weaver on the mound v. Florida Gateway College on Oct. 16, 2026 (Provided by / Jordan Sanders)

Florida A&M fought through a slow start, trailing 4-0 to defeat Florida Gateway College in a comeback win.  

Outfielder Trinity Hatcher sent a ball over the fence for a grand slam in the seventh inning to put the Lady Rattlers up 6-4.  

FAMU never looked back as catcher Amya Ramos brought infielder Braxtyn Battle home in the 10th inning. 

The Lady Rattlers entered their second fall ball game against the Lady Wolves looking to use this game to assess their change to the bullpen in a live game situation.  

Florida Gateway took an early lead in the first inning, scoring two runs before Florida A&M secured their final out.  

The Lady Rattlers struggled to find momentum defensively in the top of the second inning after allowing a single and double before getting the Lady Wolves out on a bunt.  

The Rattlers missed an opportunity to get on the board in the second inning when infielder Paris Rodgers was robbed of a home run at the outfield wall.  

FGC took a 4-0 lead in the third inning. However, FAMU made a change at the mound. Freshman pitcher Rhianna Weaver came in and made an instant impact, striking out the next three at bat killing any momentum the Lady Wolves had going forward for the rest of the game.  

The Lady Rattlers brought that momentum to the fifth inning after not faltering to loaded bases and took advantage of the opportunities at the plate. 

Outfielder Ciara Maple hit a single and stole second. Victoria Rudolph, an infielder, walked which loaded the base for the Rattlers.  

A sacrifice fly, an out that allows a baserunner to advance, brought Maple home, getting FAMU on the board for the first time in the game.  

The bullpen shined bright when freshman pitcher Aliyanis Stubbs subbed in to start off the sixth inning, only allowing one hit.  

After bringing in a run in the sixth inning, Florida A&M took over in the seventh inning when Weaver hit a single before Hatcher smacked a grand slam to give the Lady Rattlers their first lead of the game.  

The Lady Rattlers brought pitcher Zoryana Hughes to the mound as she handled the Lady Wolves in the eighth, holding them scoreless. Offensively, Battle hit a single, Ramos got a walk and outfielder Madison Jenkins doubled bringing in two runs to extend FAMU’s lead to 8-4. 

Hughes held FGC off the scoreboard in the ninth before being pulled for the closer, Sariah Espada. Espada allowed one run but closed out very well. And in the 10th inning Battle hit a double before Ramos hit a single to bring her home to win 10-5.  

After the game, coach Brittany Beall explained what the exhibition game showed her about her team and what the team needs to work on.  

“It shows fight. I think we need to just start a little earlier and just make adjustments earlier. But that’s what fall is for,” Beall said. 

Infielder Braxtyn Battle highlighted the fall ball games as essential to developing chemistry as a team for SWAC play later in the season.  

“I think a game like this is super important,” Battle continued. “It gives everybody an opportunity to truly see what a college sample is like and to get to know their teammates.” 

Battle also emphasized what it means for the rest of the season. 

“I think it’s really important to build chemistry before we get into the season, because I think we’re a very energy-based team, and that’s really what matters in SWAC play,” Battle said. 

Pitcher Rhianna Weaver assessed her pitching performance on the mound and how she felt about her transition from high school to college ball. 

“I felt great on the mound. I feel like the transition from high school to college was a greater stage or a greater presence that I had to fulfill here tonight,” Weaver said. 

Battle also noted that her personal goal for today’s game was more than anything she could do on the field. 

“I think personally, in today’s game, I wanted to work on my faith,” Battle said. “Not appearing in the game as myself but knowing that God placed me here and that is my reason for playing softball.” 

The Lady Rattlers will return to Veronica Wiggins Field on Oct. 27 for the next fall ball game against Northwest Florida State.