Jackson State University holds on to its No. 1 ranking for the fourth week in a row in Black College Nines’ 2021 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) regular season baseball poll in the large school division announced on April 20, 2021.
The Tigers of Jackson State, 24-7 overall and 18-0 in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), currently on a 10 game winning streak and continue to receive votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division I Poll for the fifth week.
Both North Carolina Central and Alabama State retained their No. 2 and No.3 rankings in this week’s poll for the third week. Norfolk State University advanced from No. 9 to No. 4 as Florida A&M University remained at No. 5. Delaware State University climbed four places from No. 10 to No. 6, Grambling State University dropped a spot to No. 7, Southern University fell four spots to No. 8, North Carolina A&T University slipped two spots to No. 9 while Alabama A&M University rounded out the No. 10 spot entering the HBCU Top 10 poll for the first time this season.
Xavier University of Louisiana maintains its hold on the No. 1 ranking in the small school Top 10 poll presented by Black College Nines. The Gold Rush 22-6 overall, have won 19 of their last 21 ball games including defeating a stout University of Mobile team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches poll in midweek action and won three games to one over Voorhees College this past weekend four-game series.
No. 2 West Virginia State University, No. 3 Savannah State University and No. 4 Albany State University stayed in their Previous week’s positions. Talladega College jumps from No. 9 to No. 5, both Miles College and Bluefield State College maintain the No. 6 and No. 7 ranking respectfully. Benedict College previously unranked dropped in No. 8, Rust College moved up one spot to No. 9 as Florida Memorial University moved downward two spots to close the small school poll at No. 10.
Also Receiving Votes: Kentucky State University, Tuskegee University, Lane College, Edward Waters College
The Voting Committee of Black College Nines determines the Top 10 rankings. Overall records do not include ties.
The two divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama A&M (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current RPI: 287 | 6 | 12 | 10 | |
| Alabama State (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-4 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current RPI: 262 | 16 | 17 | 3 | |
| Delaware State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current RPI: 273 | 11 | 14 | 6 | |
| Florida A&M University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-7 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 5 Current RPI: 254 | 13 | 23 | 5 | |
| Grambling State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-4 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current RPI: 281 | 11 | 18 | 7 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 6-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current RPI: 89 | 24 | 7 | 1 | |
| Norfolk State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 8-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current RPI: 266 | 15 | 20 | 4 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-4 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current RPI: 264 | 12 | 25 | 9 | |
| North Carolina Central University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-5 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current RPI: 243 | 14 | 13 | 2 | |
| Southern University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-4 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current RPI: 265 | 11 | 18 | 8 |
Alcorn State
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current ISR: 161 | 11 | 7 | 4 | |
| Benedict College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| Bluefield State College (USCAA) Record Since Last Poll: 2-4 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current ISR: 471 | 9 | 11 | 7 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) Record Since Last Poll: 1-6 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current ISR: 379 | 13 | 23 | 10 | |
| Miles College (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 6 Current ISR: 367 | 8 | 9 | 6 | |
| Rust College (AII) Record Since Last Poll: 2-5 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 10 Current ISR: 601 | 13 | 18 | 9 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current ISR: 332 | 13 | 5 | 3 | |
| Talladega College (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current ISR: 440 | 16 | 20 | 5 | |
| West Virginia State University (MEC) Record Since Last Poll: 7-1 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current ISR: 143 | 19 | 7 | 2 | |
| Xavier Univ of LA (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 7-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current ISR: 260 | 22 | 6 | 1 |
Kentucky State
- In the large school division, the “RPI” referenced is Massey’s Composite Rankings which is a blending of a number of trusted ranking services. The entire NCAA Division I rankings can be found at masseyratings.com.
- In the small school division, the “ISR” referenced is Boyd Nation’s Iterative Strength Rating. For an analysis of his ISR, the link can be found at The College Baseball Ratings Page-Frequently Asked Questions. Please note, if a school’s ISR shows as “not indicated”, it is because the school has not played in enough qualifying games to give an accurate rating.
2021 Poll Dates (with links to poll results):
Pre-Season
Week 1 (March 11, 2021)
Week 2 (March 25, 2021)
Week 3 (April 8, 2021)
Week 4 (April 22, 2021)
Week 5 (April 29, 2021)
Week 6 (May 6, 2021)
Week 7 (May 13, 2021)
Week 8 (May 20, 2021)
Week 9 (May 27, 2021)*
*Final Poll
The voting committee is made up of an informed and impartial group of individuals who follow college baseball on all levels, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball. Included in the group are college athletic administrators and educators, college baseball writers and other sports journalists and broadcasters, former HBCU and other college ballplayers and above all else… college baseball enthusiasts who have an interest in promoting HBCU baseball.
As the college baseball season concludes, champions will be named in two divisions… the “large school” division will be composed of the 16 HBCU schools representing NCAA Division I and a “small school” division made up of the 24 HBCU schools with NCAA Division II, NAIA and USCAA status.