'Moore-Kittles Field changed my life': FAMU baseball seniors excited to be celebrated this weekend

Florida A&M baseball has some necessary momentum entering the final week of the regular season.

The Rattlers were able to fight off the continuation their four-game losing streak after beating the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in game three of their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) series on Sunday.

The Rattlers (23-25, 17-10 SWAC), who are No. 3 in the SWAC East, will now host division leaders Alabama State Hornets (37-15, 24-3 SWAC) at Moore-Kittles Field for the regular season finale series and Senior Day Weekend.

FAMU can jump to No. 2 in the SWAC East with two wins alongside two losses by No. 2 Bethune Cookman (to No. 4 Jackson State).

The Hornets hosted and swept the Rattlers in Montgomery during the teams' first conference series in April.

"Alabama State is a good ballclub," FAMU head coach Jamey Shouppe said. "Our goal as a team is just to play well going into the tournament. Our guys have to display a positive attitude and come ready to work, get better.

"All four teams from our side that's going to make the tournament are very good. I really believe somebody from our division will win it ― you never know, the Rattlers, could win.

"The season is far from being over and hopefully we get hot in the next two weekends."

The series will be played from Thursday to Saturday as opposed to the usual Friday to Sunday series schedule.

This is an attempt by the SWAC to give players an extra days rest before the conference tournament begins on Wednesday, May 24 in Atlanta.

"It's the smart thing to do," Shouppe said. "The SWAC started doing it a couple years ago and it's the right thing to do to make sure everybody's in a good position to have a chance to win that thing."

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FAMU senior baseball players filled with emotions in final lap around Moore-Kittles Field

It'll be a weekend of business, but also one of celebration for FAMU.

The Rattlers graduating players had to miss their commencement ceremony two weeks ago as the team was playing in a series at Jackson State.

But this weekend, eight players will be honored for Saturday's Senior Day.

Hanchey has had two chapters of his college career after a 2021 All-MEAC Tournament Team career at fellow NCAA Division I HBCU Norfolk State before transferring to FAMU and standing out in the 2022 postseason ― earning All-SWAC Tournament honors.

This season, Hanchey has 61 hits, 48 runs, and nine homeruns which are all second on the team.

The Virginia Beach native calls his decision to come to FAMU the best choice of his life.

"It's been a lot of good times in college baseball and I'm really hoping I get the opportunity to play more baseball after this," Hanchey, a catcher, said. "At Norfolk State, I was around my whole family. So, I've grown mentally because I've found independency as a person and a baseball player.

"It was the best decision of my life to transfer to FAMU. Moore-Kittles ― this field has changed my life forever and I'm never going to forget that.

"Saturday is going to be a big day and an emotional one."

Ace pitcher Viets has also played two seasons at FAMU after transferring from Division II Auburn at Montgomery.

The 2022 All-SWAC Second Team selection has led the Rattlers to 14 wins and six losses on the mound in two seasons with the team.

Viets, from Pensacola, owns a 3.09 ERA and has struck out 66 batters this season.

"FAMU welcomed me with open arms," Viets said. "It's going to be pretty bittersweet and tough knowing this is the last game here at home.

"Shouppe has helped me grow as a man and a baseball player and I'm excited to see what the future holds."

Third baseman Weber is a local product from Wakulla High School and is the longest tenured player on the team alongside Morea.

Weber spent all of his years with FAMU and has a MEAC title ring and a All-SWAC Tournament Team selection to show for it.

He has 55 hits and eight homeruns this season.

"It's super exciting ― especially playing a big series against Alabama State," Weber said. "Coach Shouppe has been really good to us. Me and Zach [Morea] were just talking about being here for five years playing so much baseball. We know how much work goes into it.

"I spent five years here, so it's going to be tough to play my last games here, but I'm sure we'll have a good time competing. We're just excited to have a chance to go out strong and have a final run out here."

Florida A&M vs. Alabama State SWAC Series Information

When: Thursday, May 18 at 5 p.m.; Friday, May 19 at 4 p.m.; Saturday, May 20 at 1 p.m. (SENIOR DAY) ― Eastern Time

Where: Moore-Kittles Field; Tallahassee, Florida

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

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Baseball: Seniors preparing for emotional finish at Moore-Kittles