By A.D. Drew | Black College Nines Contributor
ATLANTA, GA – Eight of the SWAC’s best head to Birmingham, Alabama for two four-team double-elimination bracket battles that will culminate Sunday in a winner-take-all championship game. Tournament favorites Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M are loaded with star power, but dark horses like UAPB, Grambling State, and Jackson State are more than capable of a title run. Here’s your bracket-by-bracket breakdown.
Conference-Only Statistics Used for All Players
BRACKET A
#1 Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (24–5 SWAC)
The East champs dominated with power and consistency at the plate. Their deep pitching rotation is among the best in the conference.
Top Hitters:
- Jorge Rodriguez – .392 AVG | 11 HR | 30 RBI
- Andrey Martinez – .373 AVG | 13 HR | 44 RBI
- Jesus Vanegas – .319 AVG | 10 HR | 37 RBI
Top Pitchers:
- Edwin Sanchez – 6-0 | 2.31 ERA | 52 K
- Tanner Boccabello – 5-1 | 3.12 ERA | 41.1 IP
Storyline: The Wildcats dominated SWAC play with a lethal combination of power hitting and deep pitching. Now, they aim to cap their dominant regular season with a title.
Key Question: Can Bethune-Cookman finally finish the job and win their first SWAC Tournament crown since joining the league?
#8 Texas Southern Tigers (15–15 SWAC)
Texas Southern sneaks into the field with an explosive offense but a pitching staff that struggled throughout conference play (SWAC-worst 8.76 team ERA). If their bats stay hot, they could surprise a higher seed.
Top Hitters:
- Damian Garcia – .390 AVG | 12 HR | 52 RBI
- Bryce Hughes – .356 AVG | 35 SB | 39 R
- Jaden Jones – .365 AVG | 38 RBI | .441 OBP
Top Pitchers:
- Sidney Moore (RHP) – 2-1 | 3.97 ERA | 11.1 IP | Reliable in middle relief
- Calvin McClendon (RHP) – 3-3 | 6.85 ERA | 46 K in 44.1 IP | Team leader in strikeouts
Storyline: The Tigers bring explosive bats to the party but have been plagued by wild pitching and defensive lapses.
Key Question: Can Texas Southern slug their way through the bracket and become this year’s Cinderella story?
#3 Alabama State Hornets (21–9 SWAC)
Alabama State’s offense ranks top three in the SWAC in BA, HR, and OBP. Their rotation is battle-tested and reliable.
Top Hitters:
- Juan Cruz – .419 AVG | 10 HR | 40 RBI
- Kameron Douglas – .339 AVG | 9 HR | 37 RBI
- Alex Espaillat – .368 AVG | .458 OBP | 29 RBI
Top Pitchers:
- Jorhan LaBoy – 6-1 | 3.22 ERA | 58 K
- Esaid Peña – 3-2 | 3.90 ERA | 40 K
Storyline: Alabama State has the league’s most complete rotation and arguably the deepest lineup — they just need to perform on the big stage.
Key Question: Is this the year the Hornets finally break through and turn elite regular-season form into a championship?
#6 Jackson State Tigers (16–12 SWAC)
Jackson State’s mix of speed and power makes them dangerous. Their ace is arguably the best in the tournament.
Top Hitters:
- Jordan McCladdie – .378 AVG | .521 OBP | 33 SB
- Arjun Huerta – .406 AVG | .491 OBP | 27 RBI
- Wilbert Perez – .327 AVG | 7 HR | 31 RBI
Top Pitchers:
- Eric Elliott – 5-0 | 1.98 ERA | 48 K
- Jaylen Armstrong – 3-2 | 3.79 ERA | 39 K
Storyline: JSU combines speed, athleticism, and the league’s ERA leader in a dangerous blend that could ignite a title run.
Key Question: Can Jackson State’s speed and pitching lead them to their first SWAC title since 2014?
BRACKET B
#2 Florida A&M Rattlers (24–6 SWAC)
The Rattlers enter with a balanced lineup and one of the league’s best bullpens.
Top Hitters:
- Broedy Poppell – .333 AVG | 8 HR | 32 RBI
- Justen Crews – .337 AVG | .446 OBP | 26 RBI
- William Brown – .298 AVG | 6 HR | 31 R
Top Pitchers:
- Garrett Workman – 7-2 | 3.52 ERA | 46 IP
- Carson Kelly – 3-0 | 2.87 ERA | 34 K
Storyline: The Rattlers are back with a more balanced roster and elite team defense, looking to go back-to-back under the spotlight.
Key Question: Can Florida A&M’s combination of discipline, pitching, and experience carry them to a second SWAC title in three years?
#7 Southern Jaguars (15–13 SWAC)
Southern has the best hitter in the tournament in Thibodeaux, but pitching depth is thin beyond their ace.
Top Hitters:
- Cardell Thibodeaux – .450 AVG | 15 HR | 51 RBI
- Taj Bates – .375 AVG | 9 HR | .459 OBP
- Jacoby Radcliffe – .331 AVG | 7 HR | 18 SB
Top Pitchers:
- Nick Luckett – 6-2 | 4.01 ERA | 42.2 IP
- Bobby Batiste – 3-3 | 4.67 ERA | 41 K
Storyline: Southern features the SWAC’s most feared hitter in Cardell Thibodeaux, but must overcome inconsistency on the mound.
Key Question: Will Thibodeaux get the support he needs to spark another magical Southern run?
#4 UAPB Golden Lions (17–9 SWAC)
UAPB is the SWAC’s hottest team entering the tournament, thanks to a deep lineup and a 6-game win streak.
Top Hitters:
- Eli Gries-Smith – .365 AVG | 22 RBI | 18 SB
- Vinny Saumell – .352 AVG | .427 OBP
- Ryan Porter – .328 AVG | 6 HR | 29 RBI
Top Pitchers:
- Kenney Fabian – 4-3 | 2.87 ERA | 44 K
- Anthony Clark – 2-1 | 3.62 ERA | 38 IP
Storyline: UAPB caught fire late and rolled into the tournament with a 6-game win streak, knocking off Southern, Texas Southern, and Grambling.
Key Question: Can the red-hot Golden Lions ride their momentum all the way to a championship?
#5 Grambling State Tigers (18–11 SWAC)
The Tigers hit more home runs than anyone in the SWAC. Their arms have improved late in the season.
Top Hitters:
- Cameron Hill – .312 AVG | 13 HR | 51 RBI
- Trey Bridges – .344 AVG | 43 RBI | .465 OBP
- Martavius Thomas – .304 AVG | 19 SB | 41 R
Top Pitchers:
- Troy Robinson – 4-1 | 3.88 ERA | 33 K
- Jayden James – 2-2 | 3.54 ERA | 41 IP
Storyline: Grambling packs more home run power than anyone in the field — but their title hopes may hinge on whether their pitching staff can hold up.
Key Question: Can Grambling’s offense outslug its way through the bracket, despite one of the SWAC’s shakiest pitching staffs, and repeat as SWAC Champions?
| 2025 SWAC Head-To-Head Results Matrix | ||||||||
| VS. | ASU | BCU | FAMU | GSU | JSU | SU | TSU | UAPB |
| ASU | – | 0-3 | 1-2 | 1-0 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 3-0 |
| BCU | 3-0 | – | 3-0 | 2-0 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| FAMU | 2-1 | 0-3 | – | 2-1 | 3-0 | 0-1 | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| GSU | 0-1 | 0-2 | 1-2 | – | 1-2 | 2-2 | 2-4 | 2-1 |
| JSU | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 2-1 | – | 2-0 | 1-0 | 0-2 |
| SU | 1-2 | 1-2 | 1-0 | 2-2 | 0-2 | – | 4-0 | 0-3 |
| TSU | 1-2 | 1-2 | 0-3 | 4-2 | 0-1 | 0-4 | – | 0-3 |
| UAPB | 0-3 | 2-1 | 0-3 | 1-2 | 2-0 | 3-0 | 3-0 | – |
A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. 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 on the BCSN.
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.