TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– Florida A&M Baseball continued their hot streak as Hunter Viets, Ty Hanchey, Janmikell Bastardo, and Jalen Niles were named to the MLB's inaugural HBCU Swingman Classic.
 
"I'm very excited for our four young men that made the HBCU Swingman Classic!" said Head Baseball Coach Jamey Shouppe. "Each one is very deserving, and they all played a large part in helping FAMU Baseball win the SWAC Championship! It will be fun to watch them perform on national television on July 7th!"
 
Hunter Viets
 
Hunter Viets spent the last two seasons as the Rattlers ace, finishing with back-to-back eight-win seasons to have a career 16-6 record. Viets led the Rattlers on the mound when they upset #24 Florida Gulf Coast in Tallahassee in 2023. Viets finished his career with an ERA of 3.21 and struck out 174 batters. Viets was named to the All-SWAC Second Team and the SWAC All-Tournament Team.
 
Ty Hanchey
 
Ty Hanchey had a stellar season for the Rattlers, tying with Ty Jackson for the most hits on the team with 76, both becoming ranked second all-time in hits for a season. Hanchey made Rattler history in Gainesville, becoming the first FAMU baseball player ever to be named to an NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team. After two seasons at FAMU, Hanchey finished his career with 130 hits, 14 home runs, a .349 batting average, and a .562 slugging percentage. Hanchey was named to the All-SWAC First Team.
 
Janmikell Bastardo
 
Janmikell Bastardo transferred into FAMU this season and was a force for the Rattlers at the plate finishing fourth on the team with 70 hits. Bastardo also finished second on the team with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs. Bastardo was named to the All-SWAC Second Team and the SWAC All-Tournament Team.
 
Jalen Niles
 
Jalen Niles was a key factor in the Rattlers' defensive efforts all season, having a fielding percentage of 95% and putout or assisted on 211 outs. Niles also helped turn 17 double plays this season. Niles added 45 hits on the season and led the team with 11 stolen bases. Niles also tied Hanchey for the second-longest hitting streak of the season with a 12-game hitting streak from May 7 - May 27. 
 
About the HBCU Swingman Classic 
 
The HBCU Swingman Classic highlights the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs and gives 50 HBCU baseball players to play on national television. The 50 players were selected by a committee that included Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. and representatives from the MLB, MLBPA, and scouts. 
 
The game will be played at T-Mobile Park, home of the Seattle Mariners, on Friday, July 7, at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET on MLB Network. Fans may purchase tickets for $10 on Ticketmaster.
 
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