What’s ahead for Rattler softball

Photo Credit: FAMU Athletics

February is here, and the Florida A&M softball season is just around the corner.

The Rattlers are entering the season with a new head coach after the departure of Camise Patterson last season to Alabama State. In October, FAMU Athletics announced they’d hired longtime prep coach Brittany Beal, just months removed from leading Eustis High School to a state championship.

Over 16 seasons coaching high school softball, Beall finished with a career record of 257-77.  This will be Beal’s, a former standout at Auburn, first season coaching at the collegiate level. 

The Rattlers experienced success in 2024, finishing with a record above .500 for the first time since 2019. FAMU had an overall record of 26-20 and finished first in the SWAC East Division with a record of 19-5.

The Rattlers fell to Jackson State 3-1 in the SWAC championship game. 

One of the highlights for the Rattlers last year was freshman Zoryana Hughes. Hughes was a standout, earning titles like the SWAC Pitcher of the Year and Co-Freshman of the Year. 

She led the conference with 13 wins and had an impressive ERA of 0.94, allowing just 11 earned runs and 22 walks in 82.2 innings while striking out 58. 

Junior Samantha Smith earned SWAC Newcomer of the Year honors last season. 

Contributing both as a hitter and pitcher Smith finished second on the team in RBIs with 22 while securing nine wins as a pitcher and holding opponents to a .188 batting average. 

 Multiple Rattlers also earned SWAC honors. Amaya Gainer, was named to the All-SWAC First Team. The senior shortstop hit .325 in 43 games, finishing with 38 hits, including five doubles and two triples while driving in 20.

Nyah Morgan, Brianna Duggins and Mia Blasingane were selected for the All-SWAC Second Team. Morgan led the Rattlers with 25 RBIs and 11 extra-base hits last season. 

Duggins had 26 hits and 14 RBIs last season. Blasingane recorded 28 hits and 11 RBIs. 

The Rattlers season kicks off on Friday with the Rattlers heading to Macon, Georgia to compete in the Mercer Bears Classic. 

Their first game begins at 1:30 p.m. against Austin Peay State University. Last season, Austin Peay had an overall record of 23-29 and an ASUN record of 8-16.

The offense for the Rattlers will look different this year with half of their lineup(Morgan, Gainer, Blasingane, and Nyomi Jones) gone. However, the return of sophomores Kayla Aldridge and Delacia DeLeslin who had success at the plate in limited playing time could help fill those gaps. 

After this tournament, the Rattlers will participate in the HBCU Classic Tournament, starting on Feb. 14, beginning with a game against North Carolina A&T.

The Aggies finished the 2024 season with an overall record of 12-36, and a conference record of 6-21 in Coastal Athletic Association(CAA).