Battling inclement weather and the Eastern Illinois Panthers, the defending SWAC Champion FAMU (2-1, 0-0 SWAC) won two of their first three games of the season, carding a home-opening series victory. Florida A&M took the first two games 6-5, 4-0 and fell in the finale in the 10th inning 9-8.
It was quite a task to even get the games in. Cold and rainy weather wreaked havoc on the schedule. The team originally had planned a three day series, but had to squeeze it into two. Playing around the weather, the Rattlers played in a chilly 50 degrees.
Head coach Jamey Shouppe and the Rattlers took the game against EIU on Friday in a thrilling one point victory. Broedy Poppell and Jalen Niles each carded two hits for FAMU in the win. Niles would also score twice in the season-opening victory.
Saturday’s rain forced cancellation of several delayed starting times. In the second game of the series, which was played on Sunday at 12:00 noon, the Rattlers would blank the Panthers behind a strong outing from Tre Simmons. Simmons went five innings allowing just one hit. He allowed two walks, while striking out six. The Rattlers spreaded six hits out among the team and it was enough to blank the Panthers 4-0.
EIU would fight to the finish in the second game of the Sunday doubleheader. Lucas Loos would slug three hits against FAMU pitching to lead the Panthers to their first win of the season and avoid being swept by the Rattlers. Mike O’Conor and Cole Gober each added two hits in the victory.
The Rattlers will welcome the Troy Trojans to Tallahassee and Moore-Kittles Field on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM. The Rattlers will then head down to Vero Beach, Fla. to participate in the Andre Dawson Classic and open SWAC play where they will face the Grambling Tigers on Feb. 23, Prairie View on Feb. 24, and the Southern Jaguars on Feb. 25.S