TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M (31-21, 19-5 MEAC) had another historic season in 2016 under the leadership of head coach Jamey Shouppe. In just three years under Shouppe, the program continues to show incredible growth as is visible by the product on the field and success of its players. The 2017 season is also lining up to be another successful year for the Rattler Baseball program. Here is a quick look at the achievements of the FAMU Baseball program in 2016.

 Florida A&M…

• FAMU recorded just its 3^rd 30+ win season since becoming a Division I program in 1980 and first since the Rattlers also went 31-21 in 2003.
• For the 3^rd straight season, the Rattlers set a program record for conference wins as Florida A&M went 19-5 in MEAC play.
• Head coach Jamey Shouppe has as more conference wins (48) in his first three seasons than the previous six seasons combined (41) before his arrival at FAMU.  
• Jamey Shouppe was named MEAC Coach of the Year for the second time in his first three seasons.
• Jamey Shouppe's 80 wins in his first three seasons are the most wins in the first three seasons as a head coach in FAMU history. Shouppe also tied the most wins in program history over any consecutive three year period.
• In three seasons as head coach, Jamey Shouppe has now had 12 All-Conference selections, 2 Conference Players of the Year and eight All-Tournament selections.
• Eight All-Conference selections in 2016, tied for most in the MEAC with Bethune-Cookman.
• The Rattlers won the MEAC Southern Division in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.
• Dylan Dillard was named the MEAC Player of the Year. It was just the second time a FAMU player earned the conference honors, both under head coach Jamey Shouppe.
• Florida A&M finished with a non-conference strength of schedule ranked 18^th nationally.
• FAMU's RPI finished ranked ahead of schools such as Auburn, UCF, Stetson, South Florida, Wichita State and Virginia Tech.
• The Rattlers finished the season ranked high nationally in several team categories such as 1^st in On Base % (.426), 8^th in team batting average (.323), 8^th in runs per game (8.0), 11^th in Hit-By-Pitch (82), 16^th in runs scored (416), 22^nd in slugging percentage (.473), 30^th in total hits (573), 32^nd in triples (18), 34^th in double plays turned per game (0.96) and 34^th in walks (250).
• FAMU set the program record with 416 runs scored in 2016.
• FAMU led the MEAC in 11 different offensive categories.
• Florida A&M had a 10-game winning streak from March 2-March 19, its longest since the 1969 season.
• FAMU had eight players finish the 2016 season with a batting average over .300. The most players to do that since eight in the 2010 season.
• The Rattlers had more home runs (43) and triples (18) in 2016 than the 2014 & 2015 seasons combined.
• Florida A&M finished the 2016 season with a 25-1 record when outhitting its opponent. 
• FAMU recorded 10+ hits in 28-of-52 (54%) games in 2016.

Individual Players…

• Alec Wong ranks 3^rd in program history in runs scored (57), 5^th in total hits (73), 8^th in batting average (.378) with a minimum of 45 games played and 9th in total at-bats (193) in a single season.
• Marlon Gibbs ranks tied for 3^rd in program history with 15 doubles in 2016, 4^th in runs scored (55) and 5^th in single season at-bats (201).
• Brian Davis ranks 6^th in program history in single season hits (70), 9^th in RBI (44) and tied for 10^th with 14 doubles in 2016.
• Ben Ellzey's .388 batting average ranks him 6^th in FAMU single season history with a minimum of 45 games played. Ellzey also finished tied for 10^th in program history with 42 RBI.
• Dylan Dillard's 59 RBI ranks him 4^th in FAMU history and his six triples ranks tied for 10^th.
• Jacky Miles, Jr. finished 2016 tied for 10^th in program history with 42 RBI in 2016.
• Ricky Page led the team and was 2nd in the MEAC with a 2.79 ERA. Page was also tied for 2nd in the MEAC in wins (6), tied for 1st in games started (14), 3rd in the MEAC with a .244 opponents batting average, 7th in innings pitched at 74.1, tied for 8th in strikeouts (62). In conference games, he led the MEAC with a 1.58 ERA and 4th with 47 strikeouts.
• FAMU players combined for 166 multi-hit games in 2016, including 39 times with three or more hits in a game.
• Brian Davis led the team with 24 multi-hit games.
• Rattlers posted 98 multi-RBI performances, including 21 times with four or more RBI in a game.
• Dylan Dillard had 16 multi-RBI games and seven games with four or more RBI.
• Brian Davis posted a seven RBI performance at Jackson State on February 27.
• Ben Ellzey led the MEAC with a .388 batting average and finished the 2016 season on a 21-game hitting streak. Ellzey also reached base in 27 straight games to end the season.
• Alec Wong completed the season reaching base in 22 straight games.
• Sophomore Brian Davis raised his batting average 143 points from .227 to .370 from his freshman season. Davis also increased his runs (17 to 47), hits (32 to 70), RBI (20 to 44), home runs (2 to 7) and SLG% (.326 to .566).
• Starting pitchers combined for a 12-2 record and a 2.81 ERA with 100 strikeouts to just 38 walks against MEAC competition.
• Sawyer Betts, who battled a shoulder injury, only allowed one earned run in his final three appearances for a 0.64 ERA including a five-inning, no-hit, appearance at NC Central (5/8).
• Marlon Gibbs (Left Field) and Alec Wong (Second Base) were the only players to start every game at their respective positions.

Team Records…

With records only going back to the 2000 season, the 2016 team finished in the top 10 in several different team categories.

• 1^st – Home Runs
• 1^st – Runs Batted In
• 1^st – Total Bases
• 1^st – Slugging %
• 1^st – Hit-By-Pitch
• 1^st – On Base %
• 1^st - Runs Scored
• 2^nd – Walks
• 2^nd - Batting Average
• 2^nd – Hits
• 2^nd – Doubles
• 2^nd – Putouts
• 2^nd – Assists
• 2^nd – Innings Pitched
• 3^rd – ERA
• 3^rd – Saves
• 3^rd - Strikeouts
• 3^rd - At-bats
• 3^rd – Sacrifice Hits
• 4^th – Triples
• 5^th – Fielding %
• 6^th – Fewest Earned Runs Allowed
• 6^th – Lowest Opponent Batting Average

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook.

---www.FAMUAthletics.com---