The Florida A&M Rattlers used defense to propel them to a series victory over the N.C. A&T Aggies. The Rattlers (22-18, 10-5 MEAC South) won the three-game series and the Aggies (8-31, 4-8 MEAC South) ended by losing five of their last six games against Florida A&M.

Rattler pitcher Patrick Pinkerton (1-1) pitched a complete game for his first win of the season. Pinkerton allowed six hits and gave up only two earned runs in the victory. The Aggies hit the scoreboard first in the third inning with a RBI double by designated hitter Quincy Jones. The offense was shut down after that until the ninth inning when the game was out of reach.

Ben Morgan led the offense for the Rattlers going 2-for-4 and adding three RBI’s. The Rattlers broke out offensively in the fifth inning by scoring four runs. Morgan hit a line drive into center field to clear the bases, helping the team take a 4-1 lead. Hauff, A&T’s starting pitcher, gave up 10 hits and four earned runs in the eight innings but struck out five in the loss.

In Wednesday’s game versus UNCG, it was an offensive explosion for the Spartans as they handed the Aggies a 26-1 spanking. The Spartans (30-11) set a school record for most runs in a single game, and the 25-point margin of victory is a school record.

“They have a very good team,” said Aggies Coach Keith Shumate. “They are a top 40 to 50 team.”

The loss was the worst since a 24-3 defeat on Feb. 12 to the Spartans. Jay Maule had a field day with the Aggie pitchers by going 2-for 5 with a three-run home run and a career-high seven RBIs. Maule leads the team with seven home runs. Ryan Gordon went a perfect 4-for-4 while tying his career high with five RBIs and Robbie Redic hit a grand slam for the icing on the cake.

The Spartans outscored the Aggies (8-32, 10-5 MEAC South) 50-4 in the two games that they played this season. The game was well out of reach by the end of the fourth inning as the Spartans went up 16-0, adding 10 runs in the eighth inning. A&T used five other pitchers who combined to allow 16 hits and 20 earned runs. Ryan Falcon (2-2) pitched only 5.0 innings, giving up only one hit for the victory. Patrick Battle was the only Aggie to drive in a run.

• Gregory Bond