The FAMU Rattlers capped a dominant regular season sweeping a three-game series over conference foe Alcorn State, clinching second place in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and surging into this week’s conference tournament on an 11-game winning streak.
The Rattlers (30-23, 24-7 SWAC) closed their series against the Braves in emphatic fashion Saturday with a 9-3 victory, following Friday’s 14-2 rout and Thursday’s nail-biting 4-3 win. The series showcased FAMU’s explosive offense and lockdown pitching, solidifying their momentum ahead of postseason play.
“This team is clicking at the perfect time,” said FAMU head coach Jamey Shouppe. “We’ve built something special here, and now it’s about staying hungry and focused on the next challenge.”
Regular season highlights
Key to their success has been a balanced attack: FAMU ranks top-three in the SWAC in team batting average (.298), ERA (4.12), and fielding percentage (.973). Standout performances include junior outfielder Ty Jackson, who leads the team with a .335 average and 12 home runs, and ace pitcher Jordan Watson, whose 2.89 ERA anchors the rotation.
SWAC Tournament Outlook
As the No. 2 seed, FAMU will open the double-elimination SWAC Tournament in Atlanta on Wednesday against No. 7 Southern University (18-30, 12-18 SWAC) at 1:00 p.m. EST. The Jaguars narrowly edged into the postseason but pose a threat, having taken one of three games from FAMU in their April series.
A strong tournament showing could secure the Rattlers their first NCAA Regional bid since 2023. Standing in their way are top-seeded Bethune Cookman (33-21, 25-5 SWAC) and defending champion Grambling State, who eliminated FAMU in last year’s semifinals.
“We’re not satisfied yet,” said Justen Crews, a junior outfielder, whose two RBI double helped seal Thursday’s 4-3 win. “This group has championship goals, and we’re ready to prove it.”
Tournament schedule & how to watch
Game 1: No. 2 FAMU vs. No. 7 Southern | Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. EST
TV/Streaming: SWAC Digital Network (YouTube)