Rattlers baseball ready to beat the odds

The FAMU baseball team is ready to meet new challenges head on with Coach Robert Lucas.

Baseball season is here again and the coach is in the mood to win.

“I have great expectations and the players should also,” Lucas said. “Confidence is most important.”

With this year being Lucas’ first as head coach, the team is looking to vastly improve from last year. The team’s last season was tough. The Rattlers ended with a 16-36 record.

Lucas said they would try to do the same, and in addition the Rattlers must prove they can compete.

“We must prove we can play against teams with different color jerseys than ours,” Lucas said.

The Rattlers had a decent conference record last year. They were 11-7 and are projected to finish fifth in the MEAC this year.

The team is going for the top spot. The key would be to prove the projections are wrong and finish in the top three which includes Hampton, Bethune-Cookman University and Delaware State.

Artist Patton, a pitcher from California, said the team’s goal this season is to win the MEAC.

“We have worked very hard throughout the fall as well as this spring, readying ourselves for all of our opponents,” said Patton, 19, a second-year business administration student.

Returning seniors Cory McFadden, last year’s leader in runs scored, and Cirlio Manego, who leads in the batting average, may be able to get the job done. Returning home run leader sophomore Darryl Evans will also have to exceed expectations.

“All the players must step up for us to win, but especially my seniors,” Lucas said. “My senior leadership is essential for this team.” 

The schedule for the team this year looks to be challenging. With games at University of Central Florida and Mercer University early in the season, the Rattlers will be tested often.

Winning more than last year is what must happen for the season to be considered a success.

The baseball team has a match Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. in Orlando against UCF.