FAMU softball chasing history in more ways than one in third SWAC Tournament appearance

This year’s Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament could be a milestone-filled one for Florida A&M’s softball program.

Nearly two weeks after winning their first-ever East division title, the Rattlers enter the SWAC’s eight-team double-elimination tournament in Gulfport, Mississippi, looking to accomplish feats undone since joining the conference before the 2021-2022 season.

The one-seed FAMU (23-18) will face four-seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff (19-28) on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A victory for the Rattlers will earn their first SWAC Tournament win in school history.

Furthermore, winning the SWAC Tournament, which could be decided on Friday or Saturday, would be FAMU softball’s first.

The SWAC Tournament’s winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament’s Regional Round. All SWAC Tournament games will be streamed on YouTube.

“Our goal is to win one game a day ― four games and the championship,” FAMU head coach Camise Patterson said. “We will get our first win and several more wins after that. The goal is definitely to bring the big trophy home.

“We want to make sure we’re focusing on the bigger picture of winning the championship and then going on to the NCAA Regional.”

FAMU had its final on-campus practice on Veronica Wiggins Softball Field last Friday. The Rattlers departed for the SWAC Tournament two days later on Sunday.

The SWAC Tournament’s site, Gulfport Sportsplex, is a turf field, which could give the Rattlers an upper hand.

“We love Gulfport,” Patterson said. “I feel like we have a small advantage, being that we played on turf at home all year long.

“The field is a little bigger than what we’re used to playing on, and the fences are a little bit higher. So, I’ve been talking about making sure we stay through the ball, focusing on line drives, ground balls, and putting pressure on the defense.”

Patterson is entering her second SWAC Tournament as FAMU’s head softball coach.

Lessons learned from last season is to keep winning so the Rattlers can remain the home team, meaning they’ll bat second.

“Coach Wiggins says, ‘Get all the butter out the duck,’” Patterson said, quoting the legendary FAMU softball coach.

“We can’t hold back and conserve players. You have to play aggressively and be on the offense. We have to take care of business on defense first, then score as many runs as possible to put our defense in the best position.

“One thing I’ve seen the last couple of years in the SWAC Tournament is that whoever has the most solid defense is going to be the one who’s going to win the championship.”

SWAC East champions FAMU softball refreshed entering SWAC Tournament

Patterson knows the temperature of her team.

She said last week’s SWAC Tournament preparation was challenging because it was FAMU’s finals week.

However, once the FAMU players’ scholastic responsibilities were complete, Patterson saw a renewed focus from the Rattlers.

"That Tuesday and Wednesday was a little rough. We had wonderful practices, but it was a little rough because many players had finals. By the time they got out here, they were mentally spent,” Patterson said to recall last week.

“Now, everybody’s loose and excited. You can see that the weight of school has been lifted off their shoulder, and that’s the energy we want to take into the tournament.

“We’re sitting in a really good spot.”

Now that school’s out, this may be the best time for FAMU softball.

All the Rattlers have to do is play softball.

That’s something that Patterson is excited to see.

FAMU softball celebrated All-SWAC First Teamer Amaya Gainer, a Chiles alumna, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Science last Friday.

“I’m excited to see how they play with no school,” Patterson said. “Many student-athletes get in the 3.5-4.0 grade point average range this semester. We’re a very academic-heavy team.

“To be able to see them play without the thought about having study hall after a game and knowing that they have to get study hall hours on the road, I’m excited to see how they play free.”

FAMU softball has big expectations and goals for the 2024 SWAC Tournament.

So, the Gulfport Sportsplex will have a sea of Orange and Green cheering for the Rattlers to hoist its first-ever SWAC softball trophy.

“Being that many of their families are coming down for the whole weekend, we’re going to have a lot more support than we’ve had the last two years,” Patterson said. “And I think that will help us drive into that championship.”

For ALL SWAC Softball Tournament information, click here.

Florida A&M Rattlers Softball Postseason Honors

Camise Patterson, Co-Coach of the Year

Zoryana Hughes, Pitcher of the Year, Co-Freshman of the Year, All-SWAC First Team

Samantha Smith, Newcomer of the Year

Amaya Gainer, All-SWAC First Team

Mia Blasingane, All-SWAC Second Team

Brianna Duggins, All-SWAC Second Team

Nyah Morgan, All-SWAC Second Team

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Softball: Rattlers aiming for milestones in SWAC Tournament