FAMU softball punches ticket to SWAC championship game after back-to-back wins on Saturday afternoon

The FAMU softball team is headed to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship after a dominant Saturday showing, defeating Alabama State 2-1 in a walk-off thriller before blanking Jackson State 4-0 behind a one-hit shutout from junior Amari Brown.

The Rattlers (28-19) will play for the SWAC title against Jackson State (28-23) on Sunday at 10 a.m. EST. 

Game 2: Brown dominates in 4-0 shutout over Jackson State
Junior Amari Brown was electric in the circle, tossing a complete-game one-hit shutout as FAMU defeated Jackson State in a 4-0 victory. Brown (9-7) allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out two across seven innings.

Brown also starred at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Her first-inning two-out RBI double opened the scoring and set the tone for a FAMU offense that racked up 10 hits on the day.

Freshman Braxtyn Battle added an RBI double, and senior Kiauna Watson chipped in a 2-for-4 performance to help push the Rattlers into the championship game.

FAMU padded its lead with single runs in the second, fifth, and seventh innings, methodically wearing down Jackson State’s pitching. JSU managed just one hit and never mounted a serious threat.

Game 1: Spooner’s walk-off homer lifts FAMU over Alabama State
Earlier in the day, sophomore Keeleigh Spooner played the hero, launching a solo walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to give FAMU a dramatic 2-1 win over Alabama State.

Pitcher Zoryana Hughes (12-6) delivered a strong performance in the circle, scattering six hits and one run over seven innings while striking out six.

The Rattlers broke a scoreless tie in the third when Samantha Smith’s RBI single plated Amari Brown. Alabama State tied the game in the sixth, setting the stage for Spooner's clutch moment against ASU reliever Kohana Pousson.

Townsend led FAMU at the plate with a 2-for-4 performance, while Brown added a double in the win.