TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A late Jackson State rally fell short and Florida A&M edged the Tigers 7-6 Friday evening in the first of a three-game series.
 
The Tigers trailed 7-1 to begin the top of the eighth frame. Wesley Reyes delivered an RBI single to bring JSU to within 7-2.
 
JSU nearly completed the come-back attempt in the ninth inning.
 
Dezmond Chumley reached base on a single and advanced to second on an error. Tyler Jones delivered an RBI single to score Chumley and bring the Tigers to within 7-3.
 
Marshal Luiz was hit by a pitch and Kelani Luke walked to load the bases.
 
Equon Smith then drilled a shot to right field, which was mishandled by the right fielder and three runs crossed the plate to bring the Tigers to within one.
 
Anthony Becerra absorbed the setback. Becerra tossed three innings and allowed four hits, seven runs (four earned) and four walks and fanned three batters.
 
Garth Cahill entered in relief and tossed five innings of scoreless baseball. Cahill allowed one hit and fanned seven batters.
 
Smith batted 1-for-5 with 3 RBI. Raul Hernandez, Reyes and Jones each added an RBI. The Tigers outhit FAMU 10-5 and left five runners on base.
 
JSU returns to the diamond Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.