FAMU softball SWAC Tournament: Rattlers to play for title game appearance vs Alabama State

Just one game separates Florida A&M softball from reaching the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament’s championship round.

On Friday, May 9, the Rattlers (26-19) will face their former head coach Camise Patterson and the Alabama State Hornets (18-35) in the SWAC Tournament’s semifinals. The first pitch is at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time at the Gulfport Sportsplex in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The winner of FAMU vs Alabama State will play against the defending league champions Jackson State (28-22) in the SWAC Championship game on Friday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Since the Jackson State Tigers haven’t lost a game in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament, FAMU or Alabama State will have to beat them twice in order to claim the SWAC trophy. That game, if necessary, would be at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, May 10.

All of the SWAC Tournament games are available to watch on the SWAC Digital Network on YouTube.

The winner of the SWAC Softball Tournament gets an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, which begins on May 16.

How did FAMU softball get to the SWAC Tournament semifinals?

FAMU entered the SWAC Tournament as a one seed for winning the East division.

The Rattlers won their tournament opener versus Grambling State in a walkoff 3-2 victory in nine innings on Tuesday, May 6. Then, FAMU dropped into the losers bracket by falling to Alabama State 7-3 on Wednesday, May 7.

But the Rattlers’ goal of a SWAC title remained intact.

The Rattlers played a doubleheader on Thursday, May 8 and won two nailbiters by eliminating Texas Southern 1-0 and came back from down four runs to beat Bethune-Cookman 6-5 and advance to the SWAC semifinals.

“Quote It”: FAMU softball to face Alabama State to reach SWAC Championship

“It’s going to be a dogfight. They came out and jumped on us early [Wednesday]. We’re able to settle down and hopefully get some rest. Alabama State is a great team. We’re a great team, too,” said FAMU head coach Brittany Beall.

FAMU softball lands two All-SWAC nods

• Zoryana Hughes, Pitcher, All-SWAC Second Team
• Kiauna Watson, Second Base, All-SWAC Second Team

SWAC Tournament remaining schedule

• Friday, May 9: FAMU vs Alabama State at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time (Semifinals)
• Friday, May 9: FAMU/Alabama State vs Jackson State at 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Championship)
• Saturday, May 10: FAMU/Alabama State vs Jackson State at 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (Championship/If Necessary)

Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.

Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.