Latest news with #2025SWACBaseballChampionship
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU rivals set to square off in SWAC baseball championship
The 2025 Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Baseball Championship game is set to feature a thrilling matchup between two HBCU powerhouses: Florida A&M University (FAMU) and Bethune-Cookman University. The championship game will take place on Sunday, May 25, at historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama . Bethune-Cookman enters the title game as the No. 1 seed, boasting a 24–5 conference record. The Wildcats have demonstrated resilience throughout the tournament, including a dramatic 8–7 extra-inning victory over Alabama State to secure their spot in the final . Under the leadership of head coach Jonathan Hernandez, Bethune-Cookman aims to add another championship to its storied baseball history. FAMU, the No. 2 seed with a 24–6 conference record, has showcased its offensive prowess in the tournament. The Rattlers advanced to the championship game after a decisive 9–1 victory over Grambling State in the semifinals. FAMU's lineup has been bolstered by standout performances from All-SWAC selections, contributing to its impressive run. This championship game not only determines the SWAC title but also carries significant implications for HBCU baseball, as the winner secures an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. The matchup rekindles a fierce rivalry between FAMU and Bethune-Cookman, adding another chapter to their storied history. Fans can expect a competitive and high-stakes game as these two teams vie for conference supremacy. The 2025 SWAC Baseball Championship promises to be a showcase of talent, determination, and the rich tradition of HBCU baseball. For the uninformed, the initial rounds of the SWAC tournament feature two separate double-elimination brackets, each comprising four teams. Teams are seeded based on their regular-season performance, with the top four finishers from each division qualifying for the tournament. Within these brackets, a team must lose two games to be eliminated, allowing for a potential recovery from an early loss. However, the culmination of the tournament-the championship game-is a single-elimination matchup between the winners of the two brackets. This means that regardless of a team's performance in the earlier rounds, the title is decided in one decisive game. This format adds a layer of intensity and finality to the championship, as there is no opportunity for redemption in the final. The post HBCU rivals set to square off in SWAC baseball championship appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU in-state rivalry decides SWAC Baseball Championship
Bethune-Cookman University captured the 2025 SWAC Baseball Championship with an exciting 11-9 victory over Florida A&M on Sunday, May 25, at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. The Wildcats (37-21) rallied late and outslugged the Rattlers (33-25) in a high-scoring HBCU affair marked by timely hits and defensive miscues. The offensive showcase featured a combined 24 hits and 20 runs. Bethune-Cookman's Andrey Martinez was the standout performer, going 3-for-6 with four RBIs, including a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth that sealed the game. Jorge Rodriguez added a two-run homer in the eighth, while Jeter Polledo went 4-for-4 with two RBIs and a double. Florida A&M jumped into contention with a six-run surge across the sixth and seventh innings. William Brown sparked the Rattlers with a two-run homer and scored three times. Justen Crews matched the momentum with a two-run shot of his own in the seventh. Bethune-Cookman led 3-0 early, but FAMU fought back to tie and eventually take a brief lead. The Wildcats responded with three runs in the seventh and two in the eighth before Martinez's dramatic walk off blast in the bottom of the ninth. Reliever Joel Core (6-1) earned the win for BCU, closing the door with 1.1 innings of scoreless work. Florida A&M's Carson Kelly (6-2) took the loss after surrendering eight runs (four earned) over 7.1 innings. With the victory, Bethune-Cookman claims the SWAC Baseball Championship and an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats will play on representing HBCU baseball in the postseason, capping a resilient conference season with championship gold. The post HBCU in-state rivalry decides SWAC Baseball Championship appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
