Shouppe named MEAC Coach of the Year

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By Michael Morrell
Special to FAMU Athletics

In his first season at the helm of the FAMU baseball program, Jamey Shouppe has been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Coach of the Year.

The MEAC Coach of the Year honor is the first for FAMU since former Head Coach Joe Durant was recognized as Coach of the Year in 2003.

"This is definitely a team award, from the coaching staff to the players buying in to what we were trying to accomplish this year," Shouppe said. "It’s not directed just to one person. This (award) is a tribute to this coaching staff and these players and is the ultimate team award.”

The Rattlers 24-24 record was the first time they finished the regular season with a .500 or better record since 2003.

FAMU also finished the regular season on a season-high five-game winning streak and have won 11 straight games decided by one run. The 24 wins on the year are the most wins since the Rattlers also won 24 in 2009. FAMU won a record 14 games in MEAC play and finished in a tie for first place in the Southern Division with Bethune-Cookman. The 14 conference wins is just the third time in program history with double digit MEAC wins.

"To start the season 3-10 and finish 24-24 is quite an accomplishment," Shouppe added. "Especially to finish out the year on a five game winning streak to take second place, which really positions ourselves better for the tournament. We’re not just a baseball team anymore, we’re now a program. We’re going to do the things the way that successful programs do things and the guys bought into that and have got better and better. We’re playing well going into the postseason and that’s what you want from a coaching standpoint"

FAMU has been in almost every game this season as 30 games have been decided by three runs or less. The Rattlers are 18-12 in those games.

One of the big highlights of the year was a 4-3 win over then No. 6 Florida in Gainesville, arguably the biggest win for the MEAC this season. The win was the first over the Gators in the history of the Florida A&M baseball program. FAMU also ended long losing streaks over Jacksonville (20), North Florida (13) and Bethune-Cookman (13) during the season.
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