The stage is set for a dramatic all-Florida SWAC tournament finale.
Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman prepare to battle for the 2025 baseball championship at the iconic Rickwood Field on Sunday.
Bethune-Cookman’s Breakthrough Season
Bethune-Cookman, under the leadership of SWAC Coach of the Year Jonathan Hernandez, enters the championship game riding a wave of momentum.
The Wildcats clinched their first-ever SWAC regular season title earlier this month, finishing with a 33-21 record and the top seed in the tournament. Their path to the final was anything but easy: in the Bracket A final, Bethune-Cookman overcame a 6-3 deficit and outlasted Alabama State in a thrilling 10-inning contest, ultimately winning 8-7 on Daniel Figueroa’s walk-off single. The Wildcats’ roster features several All-SWAC honorees, including Co-Hitter of the Year Andrey Martinez, second baseman Jesus Vanegas, and Relief Pitcher of the Year Jean Carlos Zambrano.
Florida A&M’s Road to Redemption
Florida A&M, the 2023 SWAC champions, fought their way through the Bracket B gauntlet to earn another shot at the title. After a decisive 14-4 victory over Grambling State earlier in the tournament, the Rattlers faced a winner-take-all rematch with the defending champions for a place in the final.
THEY’RE HEADED TO THE ‘SHIP
@FAMU_Baseball gets the must-win against Grambling State and have now punched their ticket to the 2025 SWAC Baseball Championship! They will play Bethune-Cookman tomorrow at 1PM CT live on ESPN+#SWACBSB pic.twitter.com/yuWlD4uKFd
— Southwestern Athletic Conference (@theswac) May 24, 2025
Led by Freshman of the Year Garrett Workman and first-team All-SWAC selections Broedy Poppell (catcher) and Jay Campbell (third base), Florida A&M’s dynamic lineup and resilient pitching staff have kept them in contention throughout the postseason.
What’s at Stake
For Bethune-Cookman, a win would cap a record-setting season and secure their first SWAC tournament crown since joining the conference. For Florida A&M, victory would mark a return to the top and further cement their legacy as one of the SWAC’s premier programs. The championship game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ at 1:00 PM CST, with both teams vying for SWAC baseball glory and a coveted berth in the NCAA tournament.
