FAMU baseball absorbing active week for a chance to regroup from opening shortcomings

Opening weekend has come and gone.

Florida A&M baseball couldn't get a win against the visiting Eastern Illinois in its three-game, three-day series at Moore-Kittles Field.

The Rattlers (0-3) narrowly fell in the first two games by a run each ― 8-7 (extra inning, Friday), 4-3 (Saturday), and was shutout 3-0 in the series finale against EIU on Sunday.

But FAMU isn't hanging its head on the weekend's shortcomings.

"We were in every ball game," FAMU head coach Jamey Shouppe said. "You hate that you don't win the series or get at least one game, but I think we're going to be alright and have a good ball club.

"Physically, we've got to be in better shape and taking care of ourselves because we dragged a little bit on Sunday and that can't happen. We've got to get better."

Third baseman Jared Weber led the Rattlers from the plate against EIU. He finished with five hits and three homeruns over the weekend for FAMU.

"Losing the series at home in front of a good crowd is going to leave a sour taste in our mouth, but we'll be alright," he said. "I was seeing the ball pretty well ― especially Friday and Saturday. I did a good job of not wasting away the pitch and hopefully that leads to other guys seeing that we can do damage."

EIU, coached by former Major League Baseball pitcher Jason Anderson is the first of some stiff competition for the Rattlers.

FAMU will look to regroup on Tuesday against Mercer in a two-day, two-game series followed by the Andre Dawson Classic in New Orleans over the weekend.

"It's not going get a whole lot easier," Shouppe said. "We do that by design and hopefully by the time we get to (SWAC) play, we'll be ready because I think this ball club is capable."

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FAMU baseball has a quick turnaround to Mercer and the Andre Dawson Classic

The Rattlers are on ice Monday after a strenuous opening weekend.

Mercer, from Macon, Georgia, will be in town from Tuesday to Wednesday to play FAMU twice at Moore-Kittles Field.

"We always take Monday's off regardless of how we do," Shouppe said. "Sometimes, you want to practice, but it's not the smart thing to do right now because it was a long weekend."

Weber, a senior, isn't taking the conference crossover games lightly. He knows how valuable these matchups will be once it's time to step up to the plate against SWAC opponents.

"These non-conference games mean a lot because early in the season, it's important to stay in the flow and get the rhythm going for conference play," Weber said. "It's important to rest our bodies, but don't get too stagnant. It's a lot of new faces, but we all know the goal here is to go to the SWAC Tournament, make some noise and come home with a ring."

Following the Mercer game, FAMU will be in the 'Big Easy' for Rattler baseball standout Andre Dawson Classic, powered by New Orleans MLB Youth Academy.

The weekend will feature eight schools ― seven HBCU's that are members of the Southwestern Athletic Conference to celebrate Black History Month.

FAMU make its third appearance as it will play three games in three days at Maestri Field at University of New Orleans, Louisiana.

"As long as it's named after FAMU great and a great man in general ― Andre Dawson, we'll be in it as long as we're invited," Shouppe said. "Going on the road can be great for your club because that's all you got, so it'll be a good trip for us and an honor to play in a tournament named after the great Andre Dawson."

The Rattlers' trip to NOLA will follow behind Mardi Gras festivities to celebrate the Feb. 21 holiday. But that won't be a team concern as they look to collect some wins.

"We won't even know it's Mardi Gras," Shouppe said. "We got work to do and our guys are locked in ― keeping their focus won't be an issue."

FAMU baseball's upcoming schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 21: Mercer, 4 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field

Wednesday, Feb. 22: Mercer, 4 p.m. at Moore-Kittles Field

Andre Dawson Classic, Maestri Field at University of New Orleans, Louisiana

Friday, Feb. 24: Southern, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25: New Orleans, 3 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26: Prairie View A&M, 12 p.m.

All times are Eastern.

FAMU softball has a loaded schedule entering between North Florida and HBCU Tournament

FAMU softball has already completed nine games in nine days since opening its season on Feb. 10.

The Rattlers are taking some early licks in pre-conference play, currently sitting at 2-7 after participating in the Mardi Gras Mambo Tournament over the weekend.

Outfielder Jania Davis and infielder Amaya Gainer are leading the team in hits with seven apiece through the first two weeks.

Reigning SWAC Pitcher of the Week Nadia Zenteno currently has nine strikeouts at a WHIP of 1.56.

The Rattlers' week of games will begin on Wednesday against North Florida at Florida State's JoAnne Graf Field in Tallahassee before heading to the HBCU Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama.

FAMU softball's upcoming schedule

Wednesday, Feb. 22: UNF (at FSU), 3 p.m.

HBCU Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama

Friday, Feb. 24: Southern, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 25: South Carolina State, 10 a.m.

Sunday, Feb. 26: Alcorn State, 10 a.m.; South Carolina State, 3 p.m.

All times are Eastern.

Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.

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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Baseball: Rattlers facing a busy schedule for first win