The Southwestern Athletic Conference revealed its 2026 baseball all‑conference teams this week, and Florida A&M University’s roster made a pronounced impact. Two of the university’s standout athletes earned spots that underscore the program’s rising competitiveness within the league.
Jackson McKenzie, who served as the team’s designated hitter, secured a place on the First Team. His season was marked by a .386 batting average, a .467 on‑base percentage and a .702 slugging percentage, translating into 10 home runs, 48 runs driven in and 30 runs scored across 38 games. McKenzie’s consistency at the plate was highlighted by a season‑high seven‑run effort against Grambling and a two‑home‑run, six‑RBI performance versus Jackson State.
Caleb Granger, the starting pitcher, earned a Second Team nod after posting a 7‑4 record with a 4.59 ERA over 14 starts and 84.1 innings pitched. He struck out 78 batters while walking just 23, and delivered several dominant outings, including an eight‑inning, one‑run game against Villanova and a complete‑game effort of two runs against Texas Southern. His most impressive performance came on March 13, when he fanned 10 Southern University hitters in six innings.
Season Highlights
The season featured several marquee moments for the Rattlers, none more memorable than McKenzie’s back‑to‑back power displays against Grambling and Jackson State, which helped swing the momentum in crucial conference matchups. Granger’s eight‑inning masterpiece against Villanova and his seven‑inning, two‑run shutout of Texas Southern underscored the pitching staff’s depth and resilience.
Beyond individual accolades, the recognitions reflect a broader upward trajectory for Florida A&M’s baseball program. The combination of a potent offense anchored by McKenzie and a reliable arm in Granger positions the team to contend strongly in upcoming SWAC tournaments and potentially attract further talent to the program.