Bethune-Cookman in the “large school” division and Talladega College in the “small school” division head Black College Nines’ fifth regular season top 10 polls of 2025.
In the large school division poll, Bethune-Cookman University moved into the top spot in the fifth edition of the Black College Nines “large school” top ten poll knocking Florida A&M down to the number three position. Sandwiched between the two is Alabama State, moving up one spot to the number two ranking. Rounding out the top five are Texas Southern University and Grambling State University at numbers four and five respectively.
Jackson State University, North Carolina A&T, Southern University, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and Coppin State fill out spots number six through ten in the large school division.
In the “small school” division of the Black College Nines top ten poll, Talladega College continues to lead the pack with SIAC member Savannah State not far behind. Edward Waters University and Wiley University flip positions from last week at numbers three and four and a third SIAC school, Albany State, rounds out the top five.
West Virginia State, Florida Memorial University, Benedict College, Stillman College and Miles College complete the top 10 rankings this week.
Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Ranking Committee determines the Top 10 rankings for both large schools and small schools using analytics including (but not limited to) strength of schedule, RPI ratings, and records since last poll.
Records indicated are through April 20th.
The two divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Current Record | Winning Pct. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University (SWAC) | 21-20 | 0.512 | 2 | |
| Arkansas Pine-Bluff University (SWAC) | 11-27 | 0.289 | 9 | |
| Bethune Cookman University (SWAC) | 24-16 | 0.600 | 1 | |
| Coppin State University (NEC) | 13-23 | 0.361 | 10 | |
| Florida A&M University (SWAC) | 19-18 | 0.514 | 3 | |
| Grambling State University (SWAC) | 18-19 | 0.486 | 5 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) | 20-17 | 0.541 | 6 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (CAA) | 13-25 | 0.342 | 7 | |
| Southern University (SWAC) | 15-23 | 0.395 | 8 | |
| Texas Southern University (SWAC) | 19-20 | 0.487 | 4 |
Receiving Votes: Mississippi Valley State, Prairie View A&M
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Current Record | Winning Pct. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) | 25-18 | 0.581 | 5 | |
| Benedict College (SIAC) | 19-16 | 0.543 | 8 | |
| Edward Waters University (SIAC) | 29-16 | 0.644 | 3 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) | 19-24 | 0.442 | 7 | |
| Miles College (SIAC) | 22-21 | 0.512 | 10 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) | 27-10 | 0.730 | 2 | |
| Stillman College (HBCUAC) | 23-20 | 0.535 | 9 | |
| Talladega College (HBCUAC) | 33-14 | 0.702 | 1 | |
| West Virginia State University (MEC) | 19-19 | 0.500 | 6 | |
| Wiley University (HBCUAC) | 31-13 | 0.705 | 4 |
Receiving Votes: Dillard University, Huston-Tillotson University, Paine College, Rust College, Southern University at New Orleans, Voorhees College
2025 Poll Dates (with links to poll results):
Pre-Season
Week 1 (March 5, 2025)
Week 2 (March 19, 2025)
Week 3 (April 2, 2025)
Week 4 (April 16, 2025)
Week 5 (April 23, 2025)
Week 6 (April 30, 2025)
Week 7 (May 14, 2025)
Week 8 (May 23, 2025)
Final Poll (May 28, 2025)
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 are named in two divisions… the “large school” division will is composed of the 17 HBCU schools representing NCAA Division I and a “small school” division made up of the 37 HBCU schools with NCAA Division II, NAIA and NCCAA status.