Opening Day at Rickwood Field
The 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament opened Thursday under bright skies at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, drawing a crowd eager to see the conference’s top teams battle in a double‑elimination format.
Florida A&M rallied from a late deficit to secure an 8‑6 victory over Texas Southern, with a clutch performance from a lineup that included Jay Campbell, Jordan Brown, William Brown, Caleb Granger and Cody Williams. The comeback was capped by a decisive hit in the seventh inning that turned the tide.
Alabama State dominated Grambling State 10‑0, highlighted by a grand slam from Miguel Oropeza, who finished with a home run, a double and five RBI. His all‑around display put the team firmly in control and showcased the depth of the roster.
Southern edged Jackson State 4‑3 in ten innings, a nail‑biter that saw contributions from B. Bikar Jr. and J. Lucky. The game went to extra innings before Southern finally pulled ahead, setting up a highly anticipated matchup with Florida A&M.
Looking Ahead
The tournament will continue on Thursday with key winner‑bracket games. Florida A&M is scheduled to face Southern at 4 p.m. EST, while Alabama State advances to meet either Bethune‑Cookman or Arkansas‑Pine Bluff later that night. Fans can expect more high‑stakes baseball as the double‑elimination schedule unfolds.