As we take a look back at last weekend’s HBCU baseball action, the storyline begins with some teams who are making plenty of noise.
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
After dropping its opener to Alabama A&M by the score of 10-6, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Golden Lions won the second game of the three-game series by the same score of 10-6 and finished the weekend with a 8-0 victory over Alabama A&M University. Alabama A&M could not keep pace with UAPB pitching as Jaedon Willis (1-0) and Jacob Ehling (S-1) combined to shutout A&M striking out 9 batters in the game.
Florida A & M University
Florida A&M University baseball nearly completes a sweep over the weekend against Eastern Illinois. The Rattlers hung on to win their season opener avoiding Eastern’s ninth-inning four run rally, 6-5. In Game 2, Florida A&M pitchers Trey Simmons, Tanner Walker, and Cody Williams combined tossing a three-hitter in the 4-0 win. FAMU, going for the series sweep, fought hard to stay in the game and rallied with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to knot the score at 8-8. But Eastern avoided the sweep winning the game 9-8 in the 10th inning.
Delaware State University
Freshman Kieran Etwaru (1-0) got the win for Delaware State (1-2). The right-hander went six shutout innings, giving up two hits, three walks while striking out seven.
Norfolk State University
The Norfolk State baseball team won in dramatic fashion winning its first series of the 2024 season defeating Mount St. Mary’s 7-6 in 12 innings on Sunday afternoon in the series finale. The Spartans rallied late to tie the game with two home runs in the 9th-inning before a walk-off single in the 12th-inning to clinch a win for the game and series.
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina A&T State University swept University of Maryland Eastern Shore to open both teams’ 2024 seasons. Tre Williams hit a solo home run Sunday in the third inning against UMES.
Alabama A&M University
Alabama A&M on Friday afternoon defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 10-6.
Prairie View A&M University
Prairie View A&M University starts the season off with three wins after defeating Grambling State 10-5, Texas Southern 5-3, and Alcorn State in a slugfest 15-14.
Benedict College
Benedict’s Kenyan Conner hit a walk-off home run in the 10th inning to give the Benedict College baseball team its first win of the season, 7-6 over Lane College to wrap up their SIAC baseball series on Sunday afternoon at Tiger Field. The Tigers rallied from a 6-2 deficit to tie the game with two runs in the sixth inning and two more in the eighth.
Wiley University
The Wiley baseball program overcame a three-run deficit to secure its first victory of the season, 9-6 over Sterling College. The Wildcats (1-4) won their home opener for the first time since 2019. It’s their first victory over the Warriors, ending a five-game losing streak.
Virginia State University
Virginia State University baseball team split with Mansfield dropping game 1, 7-4 in 10 innings and winning game 2, 4-2.