Can FAMU softball overcome SWAC title hump? Why this year feels different

“They know what it felt like in 2024 and 2025, losing to Jackson State so close. The mindset is definitely different. Seeing them understand what the buy-in looks like in the end, it’s one of those things that’s very rewarding.”

The East’s one-seeded Rattlers (28-19) open the eight-team double-elimination tournament against West’s four-seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff (14-30) at the Gulfport Sportsplex in Mississippi on Tuesday, May 5, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

The championship game is set for Friday, May 8, with a possible Game 2 on Saturday, May 9, if necessary. The entire tournament is on SWAC TV.

The Rattlers earned the top seed by threepeating as the SWAC East champions.

Florida A&M Rattlers' Neriah Lee signals the 'Fangs Up' after reaching a base during an NCAA college softball game.

Former head coach Camise Patterson, now at Alabama State, led the Rattlers to their first division title. Beall’s first-year FAMU team was the best in the East last spring.

“I thought we had a great season,” Beall recapped the regular season. “Competitive non-conference games, and it was a battle test every weekend with teams in the East. Coming in as a one seed is huge. For us, we’re just making sure we clean up the little things for us to stay competitive. We’re excited to see what we can produce offensively and defensively, on the mound and within our defense to make us be in that championship game on Friday.”

FAMU softball has the experience, talent to capture SWAC Tournament crown

A year ago, Beall approached the SWAC Tournament with no prior experience.

And still got the Rattlers to the championship game.

But a full year later, she’s entering the playoffs with more knowledge than she did last year as a first-time college head coach.

“Last year, it was new. I didn’t know what to expect,” Beall reflected. “I think we’re in a better spot of just understanding the importance, but not making the moment of itself big.”

When players arrived on campus last August, Beall spoke to them about championship expectations throughout the fall ball season.

Florida A&M Rattlers utility player Amari Brown competes in the Leonard Moody HBCU Collegiate Invitational for the 2026 Whatley Cup at the Turner Lake Softball Complex in Covington, Georgia.

FAMU has the talent to pull it off.

Voted the best female athlete at FAMU’s Fang Awards, pitcher and utility player Amari Brown leads the team with 60 hits and 10 home runs, while contributing 48.1 innings on the mound. More standouts include Zoryana Hughes, Neriah Lee, Samantha Smith, Keeleigh Spooner, and Jamison Townsend, to name a few.

“It gives them confidence,” Beall said of the Rattlers’ star-studded roster. “All the girls are really seeing that they can really do this and have the talent to achieve what they’re looking for.”

FAMU softball chasing first conference title in nearly a decade

Florida A&M Rattlers head softball coach Brittany Beall coaches up her team during a game.

The Rattlers left Tallahassee for Gulfport over the weekend after having a collection of good practices during the downtime before the SWAC Tournament ramps up.

The All-SWAC teams and individual awards will be announced before the playoffs start, following the league’s annual banquet. Beall could be in contention for Coach of the Year, while Brown may be a candidate for Player of the Year.

“For me, it’s just being where my feet are,” Beall said. “I know it’s a cliche, but being able to experience this with this great group of girls and embracing everything along with the SWAC Tournament. It’s intense, and everyone’s going to bring their best game.”

The winner of the SWAC Tournament earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

FAMU hasn’t won a conference crown since 2017, when longtime and now-retired head coach Veronica Wiggins captured her 13th and final title to complete a four-peat. The Rattlers also went to the NCAA Tournament that year.

“We know everybody at FAMU is looking for us to bring it back. That’s what we’re going to try to do wholeheartedly,” Beall said. “But we want to make sure we take it one step at a time. We’re not looking forward or past anybody. We’re going to compete game by game and pitch by pitch.”

Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.

Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida A&M softball 'hungry' for first SWAC Tournament championship