Bluefield State College
Conference: NCAA DII (Independent)
Head Coach: Drew Bailey
2021 Record: 15-12 (.556)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.1 Black College World Series Winner
Key Newcomers: Brayden Merrick Virginia Tech transfer
Key Returning Players: Ty Sizemore, Taylor Tibbs, Roman Moore, Austin Stambaugh, CJ Cooper, Howie Spencer, and JR McRee
Key Players Lost: Tanner Brandon
Team Preview: Head coach Drew Bailey has added a ton of fresh new faces to the lineup in fall ball but that has not changed any expectation. Bluefield returns the majority of last year’s team other than three seniors. They brought in 35 new players including four NCAA Division I transfers, two who are hard throwing pitchers, two power hitters, and nine junior college players. Players that will make an impact are Jacob Matheney, Zane Eggleston, Shawn Runey, Josh Pilsko and Austin Stambaugh, all will be projected as starters on the hill or see significant action in the pen. Bluefield State has some experienced bullpen arms returning and added some promising freshmen and transfers to the pen as well. A big addition to the Big Blue team is the transfer of Brayden Merrick from Virginia Tech who is a fleet footed strongarm quick up the middle shortstop anchoring the infield. A lot of talented new position players open the 2022 season for Bluefield State which includes Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner Garrett Hladilek, freshman infielders Erik Romero and Blake Little along with North Carolina Central transfer outfielder Jordan Valera Payne. Bluefield State returns from the 2021 championship team catcher Roman Moore and Barry Crawford and brings in promising catcher Cole Cote who will see time behind the plate.
Claflin University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: James Randall
2021 Record: 3-29 (.094)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Key Newcomers: Jalini Howard, Rufus Hurdle, Joshua Cooper
Key Returning Players: Chris McKenzie, Jr Steve Joyner, Da’Avion Sumpter
Key Players Lost: Rob Dobbs
Team Preview: The 2022 Claflin Panthers baseball team will enter the 2022 season with the goal of proving the doubters wrong. After finishing the 2021 season with a 3-29 overall record, the team will return to the diamond with a new look, some terrific additions, and a goal of proving the doubters wrong. There will be a lot for the Panthers to look forward to in the upcoming season. With only three starters returning from last season’s team, the Panthers will have new look taking the field this season. The team will enter the season with a more balanced line up. The team will return many of their top hitters from last season’s team and that experience will pay off both at the plate and on the diamond. On the mound, senior Chris McKenzie, Jr. will look to lead the Panthers’ rotation while fellow senior outfielder Steve Joyner is also poised to make some strides this season. In addition to a terrific cast of returnees, the Panthers will also have a great cast of newcomers to fill out the roster, including freshmen outfielders, Jalini Howard and Rufus Hurdle joining Joyner, Jr. to make a great defensive trio for the team. Fellow freshman Joshua Cooper will also be an impactful addition at the shortstop position. With the talented cast of newcomers and an experienced group of returnees, the Panthers are poised to prove all the doubters wrong in 2022.
Florida Memorial University
Conference: SUN
Head Coach: Tino Burgos
2021 Record: 15-25 (.375)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No. 10
Key Newcomers: Samuel Briceno RHP, Isais Espiritusantos LHP, Fernando Villa RHP/1B, and Aubrey Yarbrough RHP
Key Returning Players: Jalen Young, Nathan Harris, Axel Gomez, Yunior Sanchez, Ramon Garcia RHP, Juan Raul Hernandez RHP, and Rohandry Javier.
Key Players Lost:
Team Preview: Head coach Tino Burgos stated “offensively, we have a good core of veteran players. However, we are very young on the mound. We picked up some good transfer pieces and freshmen talent and expect these guys to contribute right away. The hope is that the younger guys who have recently transitioned to the collegiate level are prepared for the competitiveness of the Sun Conference. If we can play clean baseball, avoiding mental and physical errors, we should be competitive again this season. We can run a little bit. We can swing it a little bit. We also can pick it a little bit. Overall, we have a talented team with some depth. Our biggest question mark coming into 2022 is how well we can pitch it. If our young pitchers continue to develop, we will have a chance to do some good things this spring.”
Kentucky State University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Rob Henry
2021 Record: 6-8 (.429)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.8
Key Newcomers: Transfers Jalen Anderson, Tyler Anderson
Key Returning Players: Josh Graves, Dom Lawson, Brady Bibbs, Dashawn Hureskin
Key Players Lost:
Team Preview: Kentucky State University returns a wealth of experience to the field for the 2022 season. The Thorobreds return three starting infielders, two of its top catchers, five of its top outfielders and the majority of its pitching staff. Boo Thompson (1b), Aram Kumar (SS), Byron Famble (Utility) and Josh Graves (3b) return on the infield, along with Jared Pierce and Roby Schank behind the plate. Pierce, Dom Lawson, Collier Higgs, Kelton Saylor, and Antonio Chambers return to the outfield. The pitching staff is manned by top performers Brady Bibbs, Dashawn Hureskin, Johnathan Morris and Solomon Reed. Several new faces are expected to make an impact for the Thorobreds. Transfer pitchers Jalen Anderson, Tyler Anderson Tavon Gibbs and Michael Pedraza will earn quality innings on the mound.
Lane College
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Patrick Barbour
2021 Record: 9-17 (.346)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Key Newcomers: Transfers Kevin Brown, Khaleel Childs, and Randall Jackson
Key Returning Players: Jordan Smith, Pharoah Smith, and Kalum Banks. Freshmen Walt Thompson, Caleb Osee, Andrew Smith, and Cullen Odom.
Key Players Lost:
Team Preview: In 2022 Lane will attempt to replace most of the starting lineup as it graduated 16 players from last season. Top returners Jordan Smith, Pharoah Smith, and Kalum Banks will provide strength in the middle of the batting order. Lane relied heavily on Junior College transfers to add to the experience level on a mostly new team. Kevin Brown, Khaleel Childs, and Randall Jackson are transfers that should make an impact. Omar Tompkins, Jermyn Brock, and Javien Woods are returning on the mound. First year players for the Dragons that should provide some quality depth on the mound are Walt Thompson, Caleb Osee, Andrew Smith, and Cullen Odom. First year position players to watch are Francisco Cartaya, Luis Febres, and Jeremiah Brown.
Lincoln University (PA)
Conference: East Coast Conference
Head Coach: Anthony Pla
2021 Record: 5-19 (.208)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Key Newcomers: Wesley Hogan, Sebastian Iguaran Florida, Gabriel Sanchez New Mexico Liam Palmer Hawaii, Conner Jones Virgina
Key Returning Players: Hilman Truss, Jefry Azcona, Luis Miguel Reinoso
Key Players Lost: Maximino Guadalupe, Willie Hines, Elias Beltre, Kashif Hill
Team Preview: The Lincoln University looks to build upon its 2021 season but will have to replace some key members of that team to improve in 2022. Lincoln must replace three of its top five hitters and top two pitchers in the 2022 season. Hilman Truss and Jefry Azcona will be the two leading hitters in the Lincoln lineup this season. Truss, who is moving from third base to second base, hit .342 a season ago. He finished with two doubles, two triples and two homeruns with a team-high 24 RBI, while Azcona was a .400 hitter after missing the early portions of the season. He played in 14 of the last 15 games with four doubles and 14 RBI. On the mound, Luis Miguel Reinoso is the lone pitcher returning with more than two starts. He returns for his sophomore season after going 0-4 with a 9.43 ERA in six starts. Lincoln will also be counting on Hilbert Nina De Leon to cut down on his wildness to be a potentially dominant hurler. Opposing hitters only hit .167 against the hard throwing righty, but he had 19 walks in 7.2 innings with 12 strikeouts. In addition to the 19 walks, Nina De Leon hit another five batters.
Savannah State University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Carlton Hardy
2021 Record: 14-7 (.667)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.4
Key Newcomers: N/A
Key Returning Players: Phil Woullard, DeWayne Franklin, Tra’Vonte Williams, Matt Terrill
Key Players Lost: None
Team Preview: Really excited about the makeup of this team. Anytime you can return your whole weekend rotation, and key bullpen pieces, along with proven position players all over the field, it’s a good sign for consistency and leadership. This is an experienced team and really excited about some of the offensive pieces that were added from recruiting. The Tigers are a team built on pitching and defense. Offensive production and roles will be an exciting question mark to answer before the start of the 2022 season. This is a big year and opportunity for the program to take a big step forward. Savannah returns the entire roster from last season in shortstop Tra’Vonte Williams and OF Hakem Smith; RHP Bryant Valdes-Masson, OF DeWayne Franklin, OF Joe Smith, 1B Andrai Wright, RHP Andrew Mann, RHP Jose Santiago, Derek Rivera, 1B Andrai Wright, 2B Champion Robbins, 3B Phil Woullard, OF Cam Diaz, DJ Franklin, Joe Smith, RHP Andrew Mann, Matt Terrill, Enrico Peele. Head coach Carlton Hardy added that “We are excited about the upcoming 2022 season. We have six returning position players as well as two starting pitchers. Depth will be big for us as we have the largest roster in our history. A good mixture of experienced and young guys will contribute throughout the season. Very excited about our experienced guys who contributed the past two seasons. All three outfielders are returning and three of our INF are returning. Two starting pitchers as well as our closer. I think any number of those guys can have a breakout year.”
Tuskegee University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Reginald Hollins
2021 Record: 7-11 (.389)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Key Newcomers: Harrison Barnes, Alex Glass, Jerald Bush, Jaylan Jones
Key Returning Players: Joshua Lewis, Richard Smith, Corey Stallings, Savontae Williams
Key Players Lost: Ronald McGhee
Team Preview: Last year, the Tuskegee baseball program had the privilege of returning baseball back to campus after a 12-year hiatus. Even through a short-lived Covid season of 15 games in 4 months, playing on campus was an excellent feeling for the program. As the program prepares for the 2022 season, fall and winter training was extremely important to get in top shape. According to head coach Reginald Hollins “Last year we did not have fall or winter practice because of school Covid rules, we had to show and go in February.” This spring the schedule features a 49-games with 23 home games played at The Historic Washington Field. This year’s schedule is unique, for the first time ever TU will travel to NCAA Division 1 opponent Georgia State and the schedule also features 30 conference games against every SIAC conference opponent. It will also be the first time that the program endures a full season in 3 years. Top Incoming freshman for Tuskegee will be Harrison Barnes (OF/P). Harrison brings speed, gap power and a rangy defensive presence to the outfield. Alex Glass (IF). Alex is a strong body that brings grit and pop to the lineup. Jerald Bush (Catcher). Bush brings a big physical body behind the dish. Brings a strong defensive presence that controls the run game. Jaylan Jones (IF). One of the natural leaders and hard workers of the class. Strong body with a good stick that will hold down the corner bags for us this year. Jeremy Hawkins (OF). Hawkins brings speed and top of the lineup ability with his versatility at the plate. “This class was sure to send a message this fall to me that they expect to push competition to play this year,” Hollins stated.
Virginia State University
Conference: Independent
Head Coach: Merrill Morgan
2021 Record: 5-8 (.385)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Key Newcomers: Transfer Grayson Spain and Dawsyn Hock. Freshmen Tahraun Hammond, Morris Ford, David Johnson
Key Returning Players: Joshua Tayman, Carl Granderson, Emmett Jefferson, Nicholas Woolfolk
Key Players Lost:
Team Preview: The Virginia State University baseball team is very excited and optimistic about the 2022 baseball season. The Trojans have a combination of talented veterans and newcomers that could result in a significant number of wins this season. Their strengths are defense, pitching depth, and team speed. Players that will be heavily counting on and could have breakout seasons are infielders Joshua Tayman, and Carl “Chip” Granderson, outfielder Emmett Jefferson and utility Nicholas Woolfolk. Top freshmen that the Trojans are excited about are infielders Tahraun Hammond and Morris Ford and outfielder David Johnson. These young men played very well this fall and should see significant time this spring. Transfer pitcher Grayson “Cole” Spain could be the x factor for the Trojans program. This talented left hander should give opponents problems. Top catcher, transfer Dawsyn Hock has a tremendous arm that should help slow down teams running attack and will add some pop at the plate. Several outstanding arms that could fill roles as starters or great relievers in Grayson Spain, Nicholas Woolfolk, Tyquon Wilkins, Joshua Tayman, Andrew Riddick and Keith Wallace.
Wiley College
Conference: RRAC
Head Coach: Kendrick Biggs
2021 Record: Did not compete in 2021
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Baseball program last played in 2020
Key Newcomers: Thirty-four freshmen
Key Returning Players: Timmie Russell, Roman Sorrell
Key Players Lost: N/A
Team Preview: Wiley College returns to the diamond after opting out of the 2021 season due to COVID-19. It was picked to finish 11th out of 12 teams in the Red River Athletic Conference preseason poll. Kendrick Biggs enters his seventh season as head coach. He will be assisted by Roderick Sherman and Tyler Baumann, who was a second team all-conference selection in 2018 and 2019. When they last played in 2020, the Wildcats went 11-9 in season shortened by COVID-19. Timmie Russell who started in the outfield in 2020 is the only returning fielder. He is joined by returning pitchers Roman Sorrell, Joseph O’Bryant Jr. and Chance Guidry. Biggs brought in 34 players to help build back the program.
West Virginia State University
Conference: MEC
Head Coach: Sean Loyd
2021 Record: 32-10 (.762)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.3
Key Newcomers: Transfer Andrew Sharp, Dante Zamudio and freshman OF Nate Paulsen.
Key Returning Players: Andrew Stone, Matt Kline
Key Players Lost: Ethan Lauchart and Matt Harrison
Team Preview: West Virginia State University is out to defend its 2021 MEC title. After going 32-10 last season, winning the MEC Championship and appearing in the NCAA Atlantic Region, WVSU looks to continue towards a championship season in ’22. Gone from last year are All Conference and All Region performers in starting pitcher Ethan Lauchart and 1st baseman Matt Harrison. WVSU also saw 3rd baseman Chris Jordan, CF Jared Hunt, Catcher Andrew Massey and relief ace Jacob Bradley graduate. This season the Yellow Jackets return versatile Andrew Stone, MEC Tournament MVP Matt Kline, leading hitter Mike Stone and RBI man Trey Junkins. On the pitching staff the top returners are LH Daniel Brandon who had a breakout ’21 as well as Nick Loftis. Plenty of newcomers will be counted on to continue the winning ways. Transfer Catcher Andrew Sharp, IF/P Dante Zamudio and freshman OF Nate Paulsen. They Yellow Jackets open their season on February 19 at Malone University.
Xavier University of Louisiana
Conference: GCAC
Head Coach: Adrian Holloway
2021 Record: 27-11 .711
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.2
Key Newcomers: Transfer Matt Muhleisen graduate transfer LSU-Alexandria, D’aires Davis Missouri Baptist
Key Returning Players: Blair Frederick, Juwan Fitch, Co Co Simoneaux, Jonathan Santos, Antonio Rodriguez
Key Players Lost: Jose Fulgencio, Danny Coleman, Trey Clark
Team Preview: Coach Adrian Holloway said, “After a delayed start to fall practice because of Hurricane Ida, we’ve seen some great things on our team since we started practicing for 2022. We added several pieces to the puzzle and expect those newcomers to contribute right away. All our starters return except one, and we are looking to build on the momentum we created last season. With a healthy pitching staff and our bats coming through for us, we should have another solid season.” Holloway also added “Pitcher Blair Frederick, center fielder Co Co Simoneaux and shortstop Antonio Rodriguez, all returnees, are playing great this fall and appear better than they were in the spring.” A possible return trip to the Black College World Series this spring in Montgomery, Alabama.
*Albany State University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Scott Hemmings
2021 Record: 12-7 (.632)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.5
*Benedict College
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Selwyn Young
2021 Record: 4-4 (.500)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.7
*Clark Atlanta University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Kentaus “KC” Carter
2021 Record: 3-8 (.273)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Edward Waters College
Conference: GCAC
Head Coach: Reginald Johnson
2021 Record: 15-26 (.366)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*LeMoyne-Owens College
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Pat Newman
2021 Record: 0-0 (.000)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll:
*Miles College
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Ty Roberts
2021 Record: 8-9 (.471)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.6
*Morehouse University
Conference: SIAC
Head Coach: Antonio Grissom
2021 Record: Did not compete in 2021
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Baseball program last played in 2020
*Jarvis Christian College
Conference: RRAC
Head Coach: Michael Holochuck
2021 Record: 7-43 (.140)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Talladega College
Conference: SSAC
Head Coach: Marcos Dominguez
2021 Record: 15-28 (.349)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Tougaloo College
Conference: GCAC
Head Coach: Earl Sanders
2021 Record: 4-23 (.148)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Received Votes
*Stillman College
Conference: SSAC
Head Coach: Terrance Whittle
2021 Record: 3-25 (.107)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Harris Stowe State University
Conference: AMC
Head Coach: CJ Bilbrey
2021 Record: 13-23 (.361)
BCN 2020 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Morris College
Conference: Continental Athletic Conference
Head Coach: Clarence Houck
2021 Record: Did not compete in 2021
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Baseball program last played in 2020
*Rust College
Conference: GCAC
Head Coach: John Bates
2021 Record: 13-20 (.394)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No.9
*Voorhees College
Conference: Continental Athletic Conference
Head Coach: Marcus Smith
2021 Record: 5-17 (.227)
BCN 2021 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
*Baseball programs did not file a report.
**Huston-Tillotson University, Texas College, Wiley College, and LeMoyne-Owens College elected to opt-out of play baseball for the 2021 season.
Paine College is now a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), having moved from the NCAA Division II.