Larson has been on a home run tear as of late, and those home runs have been timely and vital to Aggie victories. Larson did again on Saturday with a walk-off two-run homer in extra innings to lead the North Carolina A&T softball team to a 5-4 win over Florida A&M in the first game of a doubleheader played at the Lady Aggies Softball Complex.

The Rattlers won the second game 12-5.

The Aggies headed into their half of the eighth down by one thanks to the speed of Ashley Shepherd. By rule, a runner is placed on second in extra innings. Shepherd scored from second base on a groundout after taking off on a hit-and-run play.

Junior Ryanne Hill went to second to open the eighth for the Aggies. Rattlers starter Amanda Reyes earned the advantage over Larson by getting two strikes on her with the first two pitches delivered. But Larson took Reyes' third pitch over the center field fence to defeat the defending MEAC Champions.

Hope Fletcher, Yahamma White, Lillian Bullock and Larson had two hits apiece. Bullock added two RBIs as she helped the Aggies get off to a 2-1 lead with an RBI double to right center field in the first inning.

The Aggies went ahead by two thanks to a White RBI triple to right center that scored Fletcher.

Aggies starter Jennifer Luper seemed in control until the seventh. Florida A&M's Erika Garcia opened the Rattlers seventh with a triple. Aria Stewart brought her home with a single to right. Pinch-runner Harold Court moved to second on a passed ball. Corin Gordon tied the game at 3 with a triple to center that scored Court to set up the extra innings scenario.

Thanks to Larson, Luper's effort did not go to waste. Luper improved to 9-10 on the season after striking out three and walking just one batter. The Aggies were not able to take a three-game advantage over the Rattlers in the standings, however.

FAMU's Mel Oliphant went 4-for-4 with six RBIs and three runs scored in Game 2. Garcia added three hits and two RBIs.

Luper, Fletcher and White had two hits apiece. Senior Britney Reddick added two RBIs. The split made A&T 17-20 overall and 4-1 in the MEAC. The Rattlers are 20-17 and 3-2 in the conference. The two teams play again Sunday afternoon at 12.