TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Senior Dustin Baber hit a two-out, two-run homer over the left-field fence in the visitor's 10th inning to help the North Carolina A&T baseball team avoid a sweep at the hands of the Florida A&M Rattlers. 

The Aggies 11-9 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win over FAMU in 10 innings keeps their hopes alive for participation in the 2021 MEAC Baseball Championship Tournament, May 20-22 in Norfolk, Va.  

The Aggies improved to 18-32 overall and 13-15 in the MEAC. The COVID pandemic means the MEAC is only taking the top two teams from each division. The Aggies and their chief rival North Carolina Central (NCCU) are in contention for one of those spots. The Aggies have four conference games remaining against Coppin State scheduled for May 13-15 at War Memorial Stadium.

NCCU is 13-11 in the MEAC. FAMU (21-27, 15-9 MEAC) and NCCU have to make up a four-game series canceled due to COVID. 

"Our backs were against the wall, and we got the best version of our team today," said A&T coach Ben Hall. "Those guys in the dugout didn't quit, and we got some big performances from a bunch of guys." 

A&T trailed 9-8 heading into the visitor's ninth. Senior Ryne Stanley stepped into the batter's box with two outs and freshman TJ Ash on second base. Ash advanced to third on a wild pitch, and Stanley worked a full count, 3-2, before fouling off three straight pitches. 

Stanley put the ball in play toward third base and reached safely on a throwing error as Ash scored to tie the game at 9. Freshman right-handed reliever Xavier Meachem sat the Rattlers down in order in the bottom of the ninth. 

In the Aggies 10th, sophomore Tony Mack drew a lead-off walk from Rattlers reliever Josh Wilson (L, 0-1) to start the frame. After the Rattlers retired the next two batters, Baber stepped to the plate to smash his game-winning two-run homer on the first pitch he saw from reliever Ben Krizen. 

Baber went 3-for-5 on the day with two home runs, six RBI and three runs scored.  

"The offense just didn't quit," said Hall. "They stayed in the game and kept responding. We had numerous big performances from the offense. Dustin Baber came up huge when we needed him the most." 

A&T compiled 13 hits, with senior Camden Williamson turning in a 2-for-3 performance that included two RBI. Sophomore Cameran Brantley and junior Justin Rodriguez each had two hits apiece. Brantley scored three times, and Rodriguez scored once. 

Meachem (W, 1-6) put forth his best outing of the season, going 3.2 innings and allowing no hits, no runs, and striking out eight to earn his first collegiate win. "Xavier Meachem was huge at the end of the game," said Hall. "It was really neat to see him step up on a huge day." 

The Aggies first game against Coppin State is 4 p.m., Thursday at War Memorial.