Original Publish Date: March 10, 2026

Article Link: https://www.thefamuanonline.com/2026/03/10/grangers-eight-inning-gem-lifts-famu-over-villanova-in-series-opener/

Caleb Granger did it again. 

The graduate righthander delivered another standout performance Friday en route to a 4-1 win over the Villanova Wildcats.  

The Tallahassee native, still rehabbing from an elbow injury that kept him sidelined for the second half of 2025, threw eight innings of one-run ball. Granger struck out eight, allowing one walk in 82 pitches.  

“The whole game was Caleb Granger,” Shouppe said. “He faced 29 hitters, 20 first-pitch strikes to those hitters. Really set the tone. Got ahead early.” 

Granger retired the first three batters in order and kept Villanova off the board until an RBI-double in the fifth scored one. 

Shouppe said the decision to go with relief pitcher Cody Williams in the ninth was a precautionary one. 

“That’s why we kept him at 85,” Shouppe said. “Otherwise, he would’ve CG’d.” 

Over his last two starts, Granger has compiled 14.1 innings, allowing just one run and two walks while striking out 15. Granger says those performances reflected his expectations for himself. In his first two starts this season against Eastern Illinois and Bethune-Cookman, Granger allowed seven runs in eight innings. 

“The first two weekends, they weren’t really what I expected of myself,” Granger said. “I mean, I know I’m still trying to get back and still trying to heal but that’s not an excuse.” 

Granger, who’s had the elbow surgery once before, says listening to the coaching staff and physical therapy allowed him to get back to himself.  

“I kinda knew what I was supposed to do,” Granger said. “What I needed to do in order to get back where I was.” 

Granger says the mental hurdle to return to the mound felt easier the second time around. 

“That’s the hardest part, the mental side of it,” Granger said. “Physically, you can feel great, but at the same time, you’re throwing balls and you’re like, ‘I don’t have the feeling that I used to have.’” 

The offense provided run support for Granger early after he retired the first three batters in order. A leadoff double and single in the bottom half of the inning set up a fielder’s choice that got FAMU on the board 1-0. 

Granger says having that run support as he pitches is helpful. 

“When you see that your hitters are confident in their ability of getting hits and not defeated by the other pitcher, it gives you a better feeling,” Granger said. “If it’s a 0-0 ballgame, you’re competing every pitch. You’re competing every single pitch no matter what. You know that they’re fighting, but when you get that upwards energy, that high energy in the dugout after we score some runs, it’s just a different feeling.” 

Shouppe says he was pleased with the team’s offensive performance, who scored four runs on 11 hits.  

The offense has trended upward the past few games. FAMU out-hit the Gators in Wednesday’s 7-5 loss. FAMU scored nine runs on six hits during their series finale against Central Connecticut State on Sunday to secure their first series win. 

Granger says he saw the offense back in old form during the third game against Central Connecticut State.  

“I think that was actually the momentum we needed,” Granger said. “Especially just putting up nine, that was the season-high for us I’m pretty sure. And that third game against Central Connecticut, we just carried it along to Florida” 

Shouppe says he’s seen improvement in the FAMU offense over the past couple of games. 

“We put the ball in play a little bit,” Shouppe said. “I thought we still need to make sure that we’re putting the ball in play with men in scoring position and less than two outs. Especially with guys at third and less than two outs.” 

The Rattlers were 1-4 with runners on third, but managed to tack on a run in the second and third to give Granger a 3-0 cushion as he continued his outing. FAMU scored one more as they responded to Villanova’s run in the fifth with an unearned run on a passed ball. 

Williams worked around a one-out walk and retired the next two batters to seal the win for the Rattlers. Shouppe says he appreciates the competitive spirit Williams has brought since arriving to FAMU. 

“The good thing about Cody is that he always wants the baseball,” Shouppe said. “That’s the good thing. He wants to pitch every day.” 

Shouppe says securing the series tomorrow and keeping the momentum is key heading into SWAC play next weekend. 

“It’s for real next weekend,” Shouppe said. “So that’s what the key is. Everything we do from here on out is aimed toward conference games and conference play. So it’s not about winning midweek games. It’s about getting ready for the conference weekend. ‘Cause we’re not going anywhere unless we position ourselves for the postseason by doing well in conference play.” 

The second game of the series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m. The series concludes Sunday, Mar. 8 at 1 p.m.