TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The 2020 Florida A&M University baseball team is looking to build upon its success in 2019. Last season, the Rattlers, led by head coach Jamey Shouppe, won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Baseball Tournament, to capture FAMU's eighth conference championship.
 
Shouppe enters his seventh season as the head of the Rattler baseball program. While at FAMU, Shouppe has compiled an overall record of 159-162 with a MEAC record of 91-53.
 
In addition to winning the 2019 MEAC Baseball Championship, Shouppe led FAMU to the 2015 MEAC title and its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in just his second season leading the Rattlers
 
Last year, the Rattlers finished with an overall record of 27-34 and entered the 2019 MEAC Baseball Tournament as the No. 2 seed representing the MEAC's Southern Division. After defeating Delaware State 13-3 to open tournament play, the Florida A&M fell to Norfolk State and was forced to battle its way to the title game through the elimination bracket.
 
FAMU went on to win four in a row, including avenging its earlier loss to Norfolk State in the championship round. The Rattlers beat NSU 5-4 and 8-1 to claim the MEAC baseball title.
 
This season, the Rattlers return a wealth of experience to the diamond, including six preseason All-MEAC selections.
 
Starting pitcher Kyle Coleman, catcher Tucker Rayburn, third baseman Octavien Moyer and utility player Jared Weber were named to the All-MEAC Preseason First Team, while relief pitcher Jeremiah McCollum and outfielder Seyjuan Lawrence were tabbed to the second team.
 
FAMU was also predicted to finish second in the MEAC's South Division.
 
The Rattlers open the 2020 campaign at Moore-Kittles Field with home contests against South Florida on Monday. First pitch against the Bulls is scheduled for 4 p.m. Florida A&M wraps up its three-game season-opening home stand on Tuesday and Wednesday against Mercer.
 
The Rattlers will travel to Jackson, Miss. to compete in the Jackie Robinson Tournament Feb. 21-23 to take on Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) opponents Alcorn State, Jackson State and Southern.
 
FAMU begins conference play at home against Maryland Eastern Shore, for a three-game series, staring March 27. \
 
The Rattlers will close the season with a trip to Daytona Beach, Fla. for a weekend series against rival Bethune-Cookman. The series against the Wildcats begins on May 7.
 
#Follow The Rattlers
For complete coverage of Florida A&M athletics, please follow the Rattlers on social media at @FAMUAthletics (Twitter), /FAMUAth (Facebook), @famuathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Florida A&M Athletics at famuathletics.com.