A.D. Drew | Black College Nines Contributor
Sunday, May 25 | Rickwood Field – Birmingham, Ala. | 1:00 PM CT
The 2025 SWAC Baseball Tournament comes down to one final showdown as No. 1 seed Bethune-Cookman (36–21, 24–5 SWAC) faces off with No. 2 seed Florida A&M (33–24, 24–6 SWAC) in a winner-take-all championship clash. Two years removed from FAMU’s championship triumph over BCU, the narrative has flipped: the Rattlers enter having lost seven of their last nine meetings with the Wildcats — including five straight. This marks a rematch of the 2023 title game, where FAMU walked away champions. It all comes down to this: the final is a true winner-take-all battle of resilience, depth, and redemption.
#1 Bethune-Cookman (37–21, 24-5 SWAC, 3-0 Tournament)
SWAC Tournament Results:
- Texas Southern, 5–3
- Alabama State, 9–8
- Alabama State, 8–7 (10 inn.)
Tournament Leaders:
- Jeter Polledo (SS): 5-for-10 (.500), 2B, 3 R
- Daniel Figueroa (CF): 5-for-9 (.556), 2B, 4 RBI, 2 BB
- Darryl Lee (LF): 4-for-8 (.500), 2B, 3 RBI
- Sergio Rivera (RF): 5-for-9 (.556), 2B, 3 RBI, SB
Season Leaders (All Games):
- Andrey Martinez (.349 AVG / 19 HR / 59 RBI / .730 SLG)
- Jesus Vanegas (.300 AVG / 16 HR / 47 RBI)
- Jorge Rodriguez (.360 AVG / 13 HR / 41 RBI)
- Team Batting AVG: .306 | SWAC-only AVG (top 9): .315
Pitching (Season):
- Edwin Sanchez (8-1, 3.06 ERA, 85 K in 70.2 IP)
- Joel Core (5-1, 4.91 ERA, 70 K)
- Carlos Jazmin (2-1, 4.21 ERA)
- Yoansell Diaz (5-4, 5.32 ERA, 35 K in 22 IP)
- Team ERA: 5.24 (SWAC play 4.50 ERA in May)
Pitching Outlook:
- Top arms fully available:
- Yoansell Diaz (47 + 26 = 73 pitches over two appearances)
- Carlos Jazmin (26 + 33 = 59 pitches over two appearances)
- Joel Core (89 pitches on 5/22)
- Edwin Sanchez (115 pitches on 5/21)
- Deep bullpen with Zambrano, Wirt, and Villafane likely ready.
#2 Florida A&M (33–24, 24-6 SWAC, 3-1 Tournament)
SWAC Tournament Results:
- Southern, 9–1
- Grambling, 14–4
- lost to Grambling, 0–13
- Grambling, 9–1
Tournament Leaders:
- Jay Campbell (DH): 7-for-11 (.636), 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 6 BB
- Justen Crews (CF): 6-for-14 (.429), 2B, 6 RBI
- Josue Figueroa (1B): 4-for-12 (.333), 2 RBI, 2 BB
- Colton Ryals (LF): 5-for-13 (.385), HR, 3 RBI
Season Leaders (All Games):
- Justen Crews (.338 AVG / 47 RBI)
- Broedy Poppell (.327 AVG / 12 HR / 53 RBI / .452 OBP)
- Jay Campbell (.326 AVG / 5 HR / 42 RBI)
- Team Batting AVG: .283 | SWAC-only AVG (top 9): .295
Pitching (Season):
- Garrett Workman (9-4, 3.66 ERA, 71 K)
- Carson Kelly (6-1, 3.97 ERA)
- Jesus Campa (3-2, 4.19 ERA)
- Cody Williams (5-3, 4.69 ERA) – unavailable (threw 118 pitches on 5/24)
- Team ERA: 5.83 | SWAC-only est. ERA (May): 4.70
Pitching Outlook:
- Cody Williams (118 pitches on 5/24) is unavailable.
- Remaining top options include:
- Garrett Workman (102 pitches on 5/21)
- Ryan Young (27 pitches over 2 outings)
- Jesus Campa (81 pitches on 5/22)
- Carson Kelly (106 total pitches over 2 outings)
Head-to-Head This Season
Bethune-Cookman swept FAMU this year:
- 17: BCU 8, FAMU 3
- 18: BCU 5, FAMU 2
- 19: BCU 9, FAMU 2
Season & Conference Statistical Comparison
| Category | BCU | FAMU | |
| Overall Record | 36–21 | 33–24 | |
| Conference Record | 24–5 | 24–6 | |
| Batting Avg (All) | .306 | .283 | |
| Batting Average (SWAC) | .320 | .300 | |
| Batting Average (SBT) | .313 | .310 | |
| ERA (All) | 5.24 | 5.83 | |
| ERA (SWAC) | 4.75 | 5.00 | |
| ERA (SBT) | 5.89 | 4.78 | |
| Fielding % (All) | .959 | .965 | |
| Fielding (SBT) | .972 | .957 | |
| Slugging/On-Base % | .527 / .423 | .443 / .396 | |
| Runs / RBI | 483 / 418 | 400 / 347 | |
| HR / 2B | 82 / 125 | 55 / 83 |
SBT=SWAC Baseball Tournament
Key Matchups
Offense:
- FAMU brings a powerful top four in Campbell, Crews, Poppell, and Ryals, with Campbell drawing 6 walks and racking up 6 RBI during the tournament.
- BCU counters with a deeper order — Rivera, Polledo, and Figueroa have been scorching hot in key moments.
Bullpen Depth:
- Bethune-Cookman holds the edge here, with more rest and balance across their staff. BCU has used its bullpen strategically and Diaz and Jazmin are reliable late-inning arms who can handle pressure.
- FAMU’s Workman and Campa are reliable but may be nearing fatigue. Florida A&M may need a mix-and-match approach
Lineup Depth:
- BCU boasts the most complete lineup in the SWAC, top to bottom.
- FAMU’s top four can go toe-to-toe with anyone, but the bottom third must be productive against the Wildcats’ deeper staff.
Defensive Edge:
- FAMU holds a narrow advantage in season fielding (.965 to .959)
- BCU’s aggressive base running (125 SBs) may test the Rattlers’ catchers.
Narrative Drive:
- BCU is looking to finish off a dominant run over FAMU.
- Will BCU’s bullpen rest and power arms prove decisive? Diaz and Jazmin have locked down late innings, and the offense is lethal 1–9.
- Can FAMU’s top of the order stay hot? The Campbell-Crews combo has carried the offense in Birmingham.
- The Rattlers are out to reclaim the crown and end their losing streak at the most critical time.
Momentum vs. Matchup:
- FAMU’s confidence is renewed after routing Grambling in the “if necessary” game, but they’ll need to exorcise their recent demons against BCU.
- Bethune-Cookman, on the other hand, has shown late-inning magic and clutch hitting all tournament.
Championship Overview
Bethune-Cookman enters with a deeper bullpen and more power threats. BCU’s bullpen may be tested more than in any previous game. If BCU gets to the FAMU bullpen early, expect a repeat of April’s dominance.
Florida A&M’s offense is peaking. Florida A&M, sparked by Campbell’s hot bat, has shown the ability to bounce back. FAMU needs a strong performance from their starter. If FAMU’s top four, in the batting order, stay productive, they can win.
In addition to writing for Black College Nines, A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. Drew is also the current media coordinator for the MEAC/SWAC Challenge and the Celebration Bowl. Previously Drew has served as an independent consultant in athletic communications, having worked events such as The Celebration Bowl, MEAC-SWAC Challenge, Black College World Series, SWAC Championship Game, multiple SIAC championship events, and Gulf South Conference events, in addition to regular season sports and events at every NCAA and NAIA level. Drew has also completed athletic communications consulting work for institutions on NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Drew was previously the SIAC contributor to D2Football.com.
Drew does work for the Black College Sports Network, where he has worked as a producer, director, and on-air talent. Drew has provided either play-by-play or color analysis for the Orange-Blossom Classic, the Black College World Series, the GCAC (now HBCUAC) basketball tournament, SIAC Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Volleyball Championships, and regular season games for football, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Drew regularly hosts a podcast, the BCSN SportsWrap with Bryan and A.D., most Sundays at 6PM ET on the BCSN.
Drew also coordinates pressbox operations for Minority Prospects. Drew currently is a board member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association. Drew is a member of the College Sports Communicators. In the past, Drew has served as the Director of Administration for the Black College World Series (2022) and as the Director of Athletic Communications at Thomas University.