Motivated FAMU baseball sluggers accepting coach's challenge for Alabama State SWAC series

Good offense and quality at-bats have become a staple for Florida A&M baseball.

But even the ordinarily hot bats have to be reheated sometimes.

Last weekend, after being outhit 33-20 and outscored 14-10 in FAMU’s Southwestern Athletic Conference series loss to Bethune-Cookman, Rattlers head coach Jamey Shouppe called on his hitters for an improved performance.

Despite being one of the top statistical lineups in the SWAC, Shouppe explained that his team missed many opportunities.

Shouppe’s challenge to the Rattlers (23-23, 18-6 SWAC) playing up to their No. 1 SWAC East standing is something that resonates with the team’s sluggers entering their weekend SWAC series at Alabama State (25-22, 15-9 SWAC). It’ll be FAMU’s penultimate series before defending their SWAC Tournament Championship, starting on May 22.

“We had a rough weekend, but we look to carry the momentum we’ve had all season,” said FAMU hitter and outfielder Janmikell Bastardo, who leads the team with 41 runs and six triples. “We always take challenges with open arms. That’ll help us strive to be a better team and give us something to work hard for.

“Coach Shouppe said to us the other day that we’re in first place; now it’s time to act like it. I think we’ll be fine.”

FAMU has only lost two of its eight SWAC series, both to Bethune-Cookman.

Now, the Rattlers aim to return to their winning ways at Alabama State. FAMU and Alabama State last met in April when the Rattlers swept the three-game series in Tallahassee.

Ending the weekend as series winners is imperative for FAMU to maintain its SWAC East lead, with Bethune-Cookman trailing by one game and Alabama State down by three.

“This is a big weekend for us to get our momentum going for the SWAC Tournament,” said FAMU utility player Adam Haidermota, who leads the Rattlers in batting average, hits, and doubles. “We want to be the best prepared we can because once we get there, we’re dangerous.”

Hitting woes and Shouppe’s challenge from last weekend could lead to a redeeming performance by the Rattlers’ batting lineup.

There could be an increase in runs scored when FAMU rolls into Montgomery this weekend.

“You’re not going to win many college baseball games if you don’t score five to seven runs per game,” Shouppe said. “That should be our goal, offensively.”

FAMU baseball has one of the best hitting lineups in the SWAC and NCAA Division I

Opposing pitchers must bring their A-game when facing FAMU’s hitters.

Forty-six games into the regular season, the Rattlers have one of the top offenses in the SWAC and the nation.

In the SWAC, FAMU ranks in the top five in batting average, RBI, runs, hits, home runs, and slugging percentage. Nationally, the Rattlers are No. 8 in triples and are in the top 100 with a .291 batting average.

“Going into the season, we all made it a goal to lead either the SWAC or be in the top 50 in the country for average,” said first-year FAMU hitting coach Tucker Rayburn, an All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection and champion for the Rattlers during his 2019-2021 playing tenure.

“We started slowly, but the guys fought through adversity and understood the goal. It’s bringing them back, and I’m proud of what they’re doing.”

Bastardo is a powerful hitter who leads the Rattlers with 41 runs and six triples. He and Haidermota are tied at five home runs apiece.

“It’s just a result of the hard work we put in every day,” Bastardo said. “We’re out here an hour before practice, getting our T-work and drill work in to make sure we’re prepared for the game.

“We have great team chemistry and aren’t afraid to sacrifice ourselves to get a run-in. That goes a long way and will prepare us for the SWAC Tournament.”

Haidermota has spent his entire college career with the Rattlers, joining the team in 2021.

In his final college baseball season, Haidermota is one of FAMU’s most reliable hitters at the plate.

The graduate student leads FAMU with a .340 batting average, 54 hits, and 13 doubles.

He hopes his breakout season carries over into FAMU’s final two weeks of the regular season and the looming 2024 SWAC Tournament.

“Being here for all four years, I’ve gotten used to how things work around here, how our program is, and what it takes to buy in and be a part of it,” Haidermota said.

“All the experiences I’ve had have helped me improve each year. I just put in as much as possible and trust my preparation. I’ve had a lot of success this year and just trying to finish strong and win a SWAC Championship.”

Florida A&M at Alabama State SWAC Baseball Series

This Weekend's Schedule

Friday, May 10: at 7 p.m. ― Eastern Time

Saturday, May 11: at 7 p.m. ― Eastern Time

Sunday, May 12: at 2 p.m. ― Eastern Time

Hornet Sports Network will streamed the games played on Alabama State's campus in Montgomery.

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 Baseball: Rattlers hitters look to respond to coach's challenge