Jackson State tops the first edition of our Historically Black College and University (HBCU) regular season Top 10 baseball poll in the large school division announced by Black College Nines (BCN) on March 11, 2021.
The Tigers, who began the year ranked No. 2 in the BCN Preseason Top 10 have won games with pitching and hitting. After a 3-0 sweep against Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) rival Alabama State to improve to 6-5, Jackson State received the most first-place votes and total points in the “large school” division which is made up of NCAA Division I baseball programs. Jackson State has won its last four games.
North Carolina Central, winners of 7 of its last 10 games, is ranked No. 2 in the first poll, with Southern University, North Carolina A&T and Alcorn State rounding out the top five. The remaining top 10 ranking includes Texas Southern in at No. 6. Alabama State dropped from the preseason No. 1 spot and fell to No. 7, followed by No. 8 Coppin State, No. 9 Norfolk State and Florida A&M rounding out the Top 10.
Kentucky State holds down the No. 1 position in the “small school” division, made up of NCAA Division II schools as well as those in the NAIA and USCAA. The Thorobreds, from the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC), has had solid pitching building a 4-0 record and earns the HBCU baseball No. 1 spot for the second time in the program’s history.
The following small school poll includes No. 2 Albany State, No. 3 Savannah State, No. 4 Virginia State and No. 5 Florida Memorial University. Two HBCU baseball programs enter the poll for the first time in program history, Rust College at No. 6 and Xavier University of Louisiana playing baseball for the first time in 61 years in at No. 7. Harris Stowe State stands at No. 8, West Virginia State at No. 9 and receiving the final top 10 small school poll ranking is Talladega at No. 10.
Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Ranking Committee determines the Top 10 rankings for both large schools and small schools. Records indicated are through March 7th.
The two divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 1-8 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 1 Current RPI: 262 | 1 | 8 | 7 | |
| Alcorn State (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current RPI: 259 | 3 | 0 | 5 | |
| Coppin State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-6 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current RPI: 287 | 2 | 6 | 8 | |
| Florida A&M University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 0-11 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 7 Current RPI: 275 | 0 | 11 | 10 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 6-5 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current RPI: 230 | 6 | 5 | 1 | |
| Norfolk State University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-8 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current RPI: 282 | 2 | 8 | 9 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-7 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current RPI: 207 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |
| North Carolina Central University (MEAC) Record Since Last Poll: 7-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current RPI: 226 | 7 | 3 | 2 | |
| Southern University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-6 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 5 Current RPI: 236 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |
| Texas Southern University (SWAC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-9 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 4 Current RPI: 280 | 3 | 9 | 6 |
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Won | Lost | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 7-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) Record Since Last Poll: 8-8 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 9 Current ISR: 105 | 8 | 8 | 5 | |
| Harris Stowe State University (AWC) Record Since Last Poll: 3-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| Kentucky State University (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 4-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 2 Current ISR: Not Indicated | 4 | 0 | 1 | |
| Rust College (AII) Record Since Last Poll: 6-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 6 | 3 | 6 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 8 Current ISR: Not Indicated | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| Talladega College (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-9 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: 135 | 5 | 9 | 10 | |
| Virginia State University (CIAA) Record Since Last Poll: 3-0 Previous BCN Poll Rank: 3 Current ISR: Not Indicated | 3 | 0 | 4 | |
| West Virginia State University (MEC) Record Since Last Poll: 2-2 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 2 | 2 | 9 | |
| Xavier Univ of LA (GCAC) Record Since Last Poll: 5-3 Previous BCN Poll Rank: N/A Current ISR: Not Indicated | 5 | 3 | 7 |
- 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.