FAMU softball coach Camise Patterson on first five games: 'I like where we're at right now'

Florida A&M softball has five games to its name under new head coach Camise Patterson.

The Rattlers left last weekend's Mercer Tournament in Georgia, 2-1, in an abbreviated schedule due to weather complications at the game site.

The trip to Georgia included a Rattler win apiece over Hampton and hosting school Mercer. FAMU's lone loss came against Hampton in the second game of the series.

Upon returning to Tallahassee, the SWAC's FAMU went across the railroad tracks to take on No. 6 Florida State of the ACC in a non-conference doubleheader at JoAnne Graf Field on Tuesday.

The Rattlers (2-3) fought, but was swept in two games by the overmatching Seminoles (4-1) in the Valentine's Day matchup. FSU won game one, 8-0 and game two, 9-1.

"It was nice to come out here and show what we can do," Patterson said. "This is one of the hardest teams that we'll face until (NCAA Tournament) Regionals or Super Regionals, so to be able to play Florida State in a doubleheader was awesome after having some bad weather last weekend.

"We'd love to come away with the win, but I like where we're at right now."

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Patterson's team has come together thus far in the new season as they acclimate to the newly-elevated head coach. And that has made her job easy through the younger part of the season.

"We're together, tight, and a family ― which is showing on the field," Patterson said. "The dugout is picking up our starters and our starters are making sure they have the non-starters back when they get in the game.

"The energy is great and that's what we thrive off of. So, as long as we have that, we'll be fine."

As Patterson and her team continues to adjust to a new era of FAMU softball, they will hit the road again.

This time to the Southeastern Louisiana Tournament in Hammond which runs from Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19.

FAMU will play a demanding schedule with five games over a three-day period.

Other participants include Houston Christian, Northwestern State, Nicholls, Louisiana Tech, and the hosting squad Southeastern Louisiana.

"We still have some good opponents," Patterson said. "As long as we come and do what we're supposed to do, we'll win any game that we play."

FAMU Softball Southeastern Louisiana Tournament Information

Friday, Feb. 17: Houston Christian at 3 p.m.; Northwestern State at 5 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 18: Nicholls at 4 p.m. ET; Louisiana Tech at 6 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 19: Southeastern Louisiana at noon

Location: North Oak Park, Hammond, Louisiana

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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