2021 HBCU Large School Division Baseball Preseason Overview

Alabama A&M University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Elliott Jones
2020 Record: 3-14 (.176)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked

Key Newcomers: Brendon Lopez , RHP (Freshman Weatherford HS), Alden Moore, UTL (Freshman Captain Shreve HS), Cole Stewart, (Freshman RHP Pensacola Catholic HS), Teddy Bridges, OF (Freshman Saint James HS) 

Key Returning Players: Jose Figueroa, (Junior, RHP), Pierre Brewton, (Senior, Utility), Jalen Ford, (Red-Shirt Freshman, IF), Jason Garcia, (Red-Shirt Freshman, RHP), Dylan Hall, Freshman, C), Malik Frails, (Freshman, RHP), Brandon Moore, (Senior, OF), Brock Mitchell, (Senior, C/1B), Trevor Berkemeyer, (Sophomore, INF), Khari Caver (Sophomore, RHP), Carlos Mas, (Freshman, INF), Janmikell Bastardo (Freshman, OF), YearMichael Hovermill, (Senior, RHP) 

Key Players Lost: N/A

Team Preview: N/A 


Delaware State University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: JP Blandin
2020 Record: 3-12 (.200)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked

Key Newcomers: Jordan Haddaway (Sophomore Transfer From Delaware Tech CC, RHP), Michael Worthington (Sophomore Transfer From Cecil County CC, Utility), Ryan Rigby Freshman Dover High School, RHP/C), Peter Carreca (Freshman Herricks High Schoo, RHP), Brandon Hatch (Freshman Caesar Rodney High School, RHP), Ethan Edelson (Freshman Pottsgrove High School, RHP), Brady Daniels (Freshman Teaneck High School, OF), Chris Hagan Freshman Gertsell Academy, INF) 

Key Returning Players: Trey Paige, UTL, Cov-FR, Cole Bates, RHP, Cov-FR, Miguel Rivera, UTL, Cov-JR, Chandler Fitzgerald, RHP, Cov-SR, John Weglarz, 2B, Cov-JR, Mark Herron, OF, RS Cov-JR, Michael Carrington, RHP, Cov-FR, Krew Bouldin, 1B/RHP, Cov-FR, Tyler Cunningham, OF, RS Cov-JR, Corey Loper, RHP, Cov-SO, Cole Garey, 1B, Cov-JR 

Key Players Lost: N/A

Team Preview: N/A


Prairie View A&M University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Auntwan Riggins
2020 Record: 4-15 (.211)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked

Key Newcomers: Roberto Maldonado, LHP (Sophomore Laredo JC), Victor Mendoza, RHP (Freshman, Austin HS), Tre Turner, OF (Graduate Transfer, Nicholls State), Sebastian Coria, 3B (Sophomore, Wharton JC), Dalton Acosta, RHP, (Graduate, UAPB), Sam Denker, RHP, (Sophomore, Iowa Lakes JC), Keanu Maldonado, INF, (Freshman Estacado HS), Ben Ybarra, INF/RHP, (Freshman Royal HS)

Key Returning Players: Kyle Smith, (Graduate RHP), Tyler Laux, (5th-Year Senior RHP), Tyler Gordon, (5th-Year Senior C), Xavier Jefferson, (5th-Year Senior OF), Matthew Sandoval, (Sophomore RHP), Brayden Johnson, (Freshman OF), Ty Tubbs, (Freshman RHP), Andrew Garcia, (Graduate 2B), Derrick Curry, (Junior RHP), Kellen Rogers, (Junior OF), Christian Mendez, (Senior OF), Alex Martinez, (Sophomore 1B/DH)

Key Players Lost: None

Team Preview: This team will be faster and more aggressive on the base paths with a great complement of players to give the coaching staff great options. The fall practice showed that this team has an aggressive mindset and is determined to aspire for great things. Pitching will be better with a lot of veteran leadership. I expect this team to compete for a conference championship this year.


North Carolina Central University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Jim Koerner
2020 Record: 6-11 (.353)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.9

Key Newcomers: Cort Maynard, (Junior Transfer from Guilford Tech, 3B), Pat Doran, (Junior Transfer from College of Dupage, 1B), Kain Kiser, (Junior Transfer from Surry CC, RHP), Mathias Carter, (Senior, Methodist, INF), Kokko Figueiredo, (Senior Transfer from UC-Monterey Bay, INF), Chet Sikes, (Freshman Wesleyan Christian, C), Gavin Byrd, (Freshman Wesleyan Christian, RHP), Parker Kanupp, (Freshman AC Reynolds, RHP), Brenton Fisher, (Freshman Voyager, RHP), Sam Murchison, (Freshman Jordan-Matthews, RHP)

Key Returning Players: Austin Vernon, (Senior RHP), Ryan Miller, (Junior RHP), Luis DeLeon, (Junior RHP), Scott Meylan, (Senior RHP), Cam Norgren, (Senior SS)

Key Players Lost: Carter Williams, Vinny Bailey, Shane Davis, Branden Bell

Team Preview: Top end of the pitching rotation will be the strength with two of the best pitchers in the conference on Friday and Saturday. Also, returning quality arms in the pen will be a strength. On the mound our weakness is experience depth the talent is there, but not a lot of college innings logged. At the plate with the additions of some transfers we should be able to produce runs and be more dynamic then we were last year. Returning DeLeon a preseason All-American is a huge piece to work around but once again talent is there just not as many college ABs under their belts. On paper we are one of the most talented teams we have had, just have to prove it in game.


North Carolina A&T State University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Ben Hall
2020 Record: 7-10 (.412)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.3

Key Newcomers: Xavier Bussey (Red-Shirt Sophomore OF, South Carolina Pensacola State, OF), Cameron Brantley (Red-Shirt Sophomore UNC SW Florida State, OF), Grant Tilley (Red-Shirt Sophomore Catawba Valley CC, INF), Xavier Meachem (Freshman South Central HS, RHP), Trevor Sheehan ((Freshman Holly Springs HS, INF), TJ Ash ((Freshman SE Guilford HS, OF), Daniel Carter (Red-Shirt Sophomore Southeastern CC, LHP) 

Key Returning Players: 

Michael Johnson, RHP, Covid SR, Ethan Chavis, LHP, R JR., Cole Parks, RHP, Covid SR., Evan Gates, RHP, Covid SR., Dustin Baber, SS, Covid SR., Leon Davidson, RHP, Covd SR., Ryne Stanley, C, Covid SR., Camden Williamson, OF, Covid SR., Alex Bibb, DH, R JR., Shane Faulk, OF, Covid SR., Connor Knapp, INF, R SO., Justin Rodriguez, OF, R JR., Tim Davila, RHP, R JR

Key Players Lost: N/A

Team Preview: Really excited about the makeup of this team. We were fortunate through the support of our Administration to bring our whole senior class back. Anytime you can return your whole weekend rotation, and key bullpen pieces, along with proven position players all over the field, good sign for consistency/leadership. This is the most experienced team We’ve had in my tenure, and really excited about some of the offensive pieces that were added, through the 2020 recruiting class. We are definitely a team built through pitching and defense. Offensive production and roles will be an exciting question mark to answer as the year draws closer. We are working tirelessly to build a consistent winner. So this is a big year and opportunity for our program to take another step forward.


Southern University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Chris Crenshaw
2020 Record: 6-10 (.375)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.7

Key Newcomers: Tremaine Spears (Junior transfer from University of Louisiana at Lafayette, OF) , Colton Frank (Sophomore transfer from University of Louisiana at Lafayette), 1B/LHP) , Judah Wilbur (Junior transfer from Chicago State University, SS) , Enrique Ozoa (Sophomore transfer from Cuyahoga Community College, RHP), O’Neil Burgos (Sophomore, transfer from Jones College, 1B), Isaiah Adams (Freshman from Chandler, Arizona, SS/CF), Branden Lamback (Freshman from Decatur, Georgia, Utility)

Key Returning Players: Hampton Hudson (Senior, OF), Bubba Thompson (Freshman, INF), Jovanta Dorris (Junior, Utility), Jacob Snyder (Senior, LHP), Daren Smith (Junior, LHP), Joe Battaglia (Junior, RHP), Taj Porter (Junior,C), Wilhem Allen (Senior, RHP)

Key Players Lost: None listed

Team Preview: Hope we keep progressing together as a group and keep the WE over Me mentality!


University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Carlos James
2020 Record: 6-12 (.333)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked

Key Newcomers: Dante Leach, (Transfer Red-Shirt Freshman, Glendale CC, AZ, Shortstop), Tim Martin, (Transfer Sophomore from University of Ala. Birmingham, R/R OF), Edwin De La Cruz, (Freshman New York, NY, R/R C/1B), KJ Merriweather, (Freshman Little Rock, AR, R/R CF), Joseph Eichelberger, ((Freshman Atlanta Ga., R/R P/OF), Kyle Williams , (Freshman Jacksonville, AR, RHP), Lawrence Noble, (Sophomore Transfer from Coppin State, Chicago, IL, L/L OF), Andrew Enwiya, (Sophomore, Modesto, CA, R/R OF), Jordan Jones, (Sophomore Transfer from Savannah, TX Richland CC, RHP), DeClaudio Irvin, (Sophomore Transfer from Connors St. Del City , R/R INF/OF) 

Key Returning Players: Nick Kreutzer, (Senior DH/1B), Humberto Maldonado, (Junior 1B/DH), Joel Barker, (Junior RHP), Kory Wasson , (Junior RHP), Edwin Colon, (Junior Transfer from Ranger JC RHP), Rocky King, ( Freshman LHP), Jar Parker, (Junior SS/2B)

Key Players Lost: 

Team Preview: We have filled some needs going into the 20-21 season and expect to get back on track on the mound in 21′ and have more depth which will enhance position battles . Look forward to this group getting us into the division and conference title picture.


*Alabama State University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Jose’ Vazquez
2020 Record: 14-4 (.778)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.1


*Alcorn State University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Bretton Richardson
2020 Record: 5-7 (.417)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.6


*Coppin State University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Sherman Reed
2020 Record: 3-10 (.231)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked


*Florida A&M University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Jamey Shouppe
2020 Record: 5-10 (.333)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.10


*Grambling State University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: James Cooper
2020 Record: 6-10 (.375)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.7


*Jackson State University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Omar Johnson
2020 Record: 9-7 (.562)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.2


*Mississippi Valley State University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Aaron Stevens
2020 Record: 0-15 (.000)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.Unranked


*Norfolk State University
Conference: MEAC
Head Coach: Keith Shumate
2020 Record: 3-13 (.188)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked


*Texas Southern University
Conference: SWAC
Head Coach: Michael Richardson
2020 Record: 7-12 (.368)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.5


*Baseball programs did not file a report.

**Both Bethune Cookman University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore elected to opt-out of play baseball for the 2021 season.


 

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