TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (April 12, 2009) ? Senior Ross Babineaux went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored to lead the Delaware State Baseball Team (15-13, 7-2 MEAC) to a 9-5 win over the Florida A&M Rattlers (12-17, 3-5 MEAC) on Sunday, April 12 at Moore-Kittles Field. The win gave DSU its seventh conference victory of the season as well as the series victory over the Rattlers (2-1).

Babineaux' 3-for-3 performance improved the New Iberia, La., native's season average to .526 and highlighted the Hornets' nine-run, 10-hit outing. Babineaux drove in a team-high three runs to increase the third baseman's season total to 29. Left fielder Mike Rizzuto accounted for three of DSU's run on the afternoon, batting 2-for-4 and registering one RBI. Shortstop Jose Sanchez rounded out Delaware State's multiple-hit performances, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

Right-hander Justin Bittner picked up his fifth win of the season, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in five innings of action. The Newark, Del., native faced 20 FAMU batters, striking out two.

Florida A&M's Miguel Parga suffered the loss, lasting just one-third of an inning. Parga allowed two runs on no hits and walking two. Timothy Schalch pitched the remainder of the game for the Rattlers, allowing seven runs on 10 hits and striking out nine.

The Rattlers were led by left fielder Steve Cunningham, who went 2-for-2 with a run scored and Adam Gordon, who drove in two runs while batting 1-for-4 from the plate.

Delaware State scored three run in the top of the first and never looked back. Babineaux drove in two runs in the top of the first wile Bittner stole home to score the Hornets' third run of the inning. FAMU responded with a run in the bottom of the first, cutting Delaware State's lead to 3-1.

The Hornets extended their lead, scoring two runs in the top of the third. An RBI single by Bittner coupled with a sac fly by Babineaux gave DSU a 5-1 advantage. A run for the Rattlers in the bottom of the fifth made the score 5-2.

Both teams exchanged runs in the sixth inning as DSU maintained its three-run lead. An RBI single by Wynton Weather and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Crist accounted for both of DSU's runs in the sixth.

The Hornets scored three more runs in the top of the ninth to make the score 9-4. RBI singles by Rizzuto and Sanchez produced DSU's eighth and ninth runs of the game. Florida A&M scored one run in the bottom of the ninth, 9-5.

The win gave DSU its third-straight conference series win and fourth-straight series victory overall.

Delaware State will host the North Carolina Central Eagles in a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 14. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.