GULFPORT, Miss. — Florida A&M softball earned a spot in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament for the third straight season as they play Arkansas-Pine Bluff (UAPB) on Tuesday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. Central.
This year's tournament feels slightly different for the Rattlers as they enter as the one seed in the East. The last two seasons the Rattlers entered as a three seed in the East, and in 2023, it took a makeup win or go home game versus Alabama A&M to get in.
The Rattlers enter the tournament as one of the best hitting teams, ranked first in batting average (.364). The Rattlers also ranked in the top four in hits (238), slugging percentage (.466), triples (13) and RBI (139).
On the mound, the Rattlers enter at the top as they're ranked first in ERA (1.79), earned runs (38), and opponents batting average (.213). The Rattlers are also ranked in the top four for shutouts (6), hits allowed (117), runs allowed (64), and saves (1).
The Rattlers enter the tournament with the winningest pitcher in Zoryana Hughes, with 11 SWAC wins. Hughes is projected to start the first game as she enters the tournament with a 0.94 ERA.
The Rattlers also enter the tournament with one of the best hitters in the nation as Nyomi Jones is ranked 26th with a .425 batting average. Jones has hit even better during SWAC play, with a .446 batting average.
The Rattlers will face UAPB, the four seed in the West. The Golden Lions enter tomorrow as one of the worst hiring teams, ranked 11th with a .216 batting average, 66 runs, and 136 hits. The Golden Lions are in the middle of the SWAC with a 3.73 ERA but have done a great job limiting hits (4th, 166) and striking out batters (1st, 179).
The Golden Lions are projected to start Kayla Adams, one of the nation's top pitchers when it comes to strikeouts. Adams enters the game ranked 5th in the nation in strikeout-to-walk ratio (8.57) and 7th in strikeouts per seven innings (9.9). Adams also enters leading the SWAC with 119 strikeouts. Adams also has a 1.88 ERA.
*All stats are conference only
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