Florida A&M's baseball squad, the Rattlers, posted a 5‑1 victory over Southern in the semifinals of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament at Birmingham's historic Rickwood Field on Saturday, May 23.
The win propels the Rattlers into the championship contest scheduled for Sunday, May 24 at 2 p.m., where they will face the winner of the Alabama State versus Arkansas‑Pine Bluff matchup.
Championship Outlook
A SWAC title would grant the conference an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament, which opens on May 29, adding a tangible prize to the Rattlers' pursuit.
Key moments included a second‑inning homer by Jackson McKenzie and a six‑inning outing from pitcher Jesus Campa, who recorded three strikeouts while surrendering just one run.
Relief pitcher Ryan Young closed the game with three scoreless innings, earning the save, while Coach Jamey Shouppe eyes a rare distinction of capturing multiple conference titles in different circuits.
The championship game will be streamed on SWAC TV, and a new champion will be crowned for the 2026 season, potentially extending FAMU's recent run of success.