FAMUs baseball and softball teams opened up a 'can of whoop ass' in Friday matchups, with both squads securing lopsided victories against SWAC opponents.
The FAMU Rattlers baseball team 12-12 (6-1 SWAC) kicked off their three game home series against the Prairie View A&M Panthers 8-19 (4-3 SWAC) securing a commanding 10-0 victory by offering a masters class in pitching and explosive offense.
Senior pitcher Caleb Granger anchor the win with a dominant two-hit shutout, striking out seven batters over seven innings while allowing just two hits. The Rattlers’ defense backed Granger’s stellar outing, holding Prairie View A&M to seven groundouts and five flyouts.
The offense came alive in the third inning when Justen Crews, a junior, ignited a 3-0 lead with a clutch hit. Crews finished the day 3-for-4, crushing a double, a home run, and driving in four runs. The Rattlers erupted for five runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by freshman Broedy Poppell’s three-RBI homer (1-for-3) and freshman Jay Campbell’s 3-for-4 performance, which included a double, a triple, and an RBI.
FAMU’s disciplined approach at the plate drew four walks, while their pitchers silenced Prairie View A&M’s lineup, facing just 23 batters. The Rattlers never relinquished their lead after the third inning, showcasing both offensive firepower and defensive precision.
Softball team downs MVSU 13-2
Meanwhile, the FAMU Lady Rattlers softball team 11-16 (7-3 SWAC) dominated the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 13-2 on Friday, unleashing an offensive barrage highlighted by a seven-run second inning.
The Lady Rattlers jumped on the Delta Devils early, plating three runs in the first inning and building a 5-0 lead. Amari Brown ignited the attack with a three-run triple in the opening frame, finishing 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBI. Mississippi Valley State briefly narrowed the gap to 5-2, but FAMU erupted for seven runs in the second, powered by Kayla Alexandre’s two-run double and Samantha Smith’s two-run single.
FAMU added a final run in the fourth, sealing the mercy-rule win. The Rattlers out-hit the Delta Devils 10-4, going 7-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Pitcher Smith anchored the defense, striking out five batters over four innings.
Mississippi Valley State’s lone bright spot came from senior J. Smith (1-for-2, 2 RBI), while freshman pitcher A. Clark tossed two scoreless innings in relief.
Both Rattler teams return to action today with the softball team taking MVSU at 1 pm at home, and the baseball team taking on PV at 2 pm at home.
Update: The Lady Rattlers closed out their series with MVSU on Saturday with two wins beating the Delta Devisl 12-0 and 7-0. While just down the street, the FAMU baseball team trounced the PV Panthers 11-1 at Moore-Kittle field in Tallahassee. The men will close out the series against PV today, game time is at 1 p.m.