May 8–10 | Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, AL
Montgomery, AL — The historic Riverwalk Stadium will serve as the battleground for the inaugural Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) HBCU Final 4 Baseball Tournament, set for May 8–10 in Alabama’s capital. Featuring Morehouse College, Dillard University, Tuskegee University, and Miles College. This showcase event aims to highlight elite HBCU baseball talent in a postseason-style round-robin leading into a Saturday doubleheader finale: a consolation game at 2 p.m. followed by the championship tilt at 6 p.m. Riverwalk Stadium, a Double-A affiliate ballpark, will provide a major-league backdrop to this postseason-style showdown between SIAC and HBCUAC representatives, with matchups scheduled to highlight the talent, tradition, and tenacity of HBCU baseball.
(All Times Eastern)
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Game 1 (10:00 AM): Morehouse vs. Dillard
Game 2 (1:00 PM): Tuskegee vs. Miles
FRIDAY, MAY 9
Game 3 (10:00 AM): Morehouse vs. Miles
Game 4 (1:00 PM): Tuskegee vs. Dillard
SATURDAY, MAY 10
Consolation Game (2:00 PM)
Championship Game (6:00 PM)
TEAM PREVIEWS
MOREHOUSE MAROON TIGERS (19–24 overall, 12–21 SIAC)
One of the most potent offensive teams in the field, Morehouse brings star power at the plate and on the bases. Senior Elijah Pinckney leads the charge, batting a blazing .426 with 34 RBI and 24 stolen bases. Cleanup threat Robert Robinson adds 7 HR, 44 RBI, and a sturdy .343 average. The Tigers’ lineup includes six regulars batting .320 or better, making them dangerous in bunches.
On the mound, look for Julian Goodman (4.32 ERA, 50 IP, 30 K) and Noah Grayson (5.05 ERA) to anchor the rotation. While pitching has been inconsistent, their arms are trending up at the right time.
Players to Watch:
- Elijah Pinckney – Leadoff terror: .426 AVG, .616 OBP
- Robert Robinson – Power bat: 7 HR, 44 RBI
- James Thorpe – Versatile hitter: .353 AVG, 9 HR
- Julian Goodman – Staff leader on the bump
DILLARD BLEU DEVILS (26–23 overall, 19–11 HBCUAC)
Dillard boasts one of the most dynamic and deep lineups in the NAIA, hitting .330 as a team with 28 home runs and 119 stolen bases. Angel Polanco (.413 AVG, 9 HR, 44 RBI) and Braylon Guerin (.419 AVG) form a lethal 1-2 punch. The Bleu Devils can hurt opponents with power or small ball, as evident in their 339 team RBIs and .468 slugging percentage.
Pitching remains the X-factor. While Kejuan Burnett (5.68 ERA, 57 IP) and Dontre Henry (6–3, 58 IP) eat innings, the staff ERA of 7.37 raises concerns against elite hitting.
Players to Watch:
- Angel Polanco – 9 HR, 44 RBI, .696 SLG%
- Braylon Guerin – .419 AVG, 23 SB
- Derrald Moore Jr. – 42 SB, 44 runs
- Kejuan Burnett – Staff ace with 56 K
TUSKEGEE GOLDEN TIGERS (19–31 overall, 15–18 SIAC)
A team built on speed and high-contact hitting, Tuskegee has a tournament-high 223 stolen bases, led by James Slaughter (45 SB, .361 AVG) and Devon Lee (23 SB, .340 AVG, 46 RBI). Scott Williams provides power with 6 home runs and a .603 slugging clip.
Pitching has been the Achilles’ heel. The team ERA sits at 8.82, and no starter owns an ERA below 6.50. Veteran Mikelle Mason (70.2 IP) and John Saffold will be relied upon to keep games manageable.
Players to Watch:
- James Slaughter – 45 stolen bases, .361 AVG
- Devon Lee – Team leader: .340 AVG, 46 RBI
- Scott Williams – Middle-of-order bat with 6 HR
- Mikelle Mason – Workhorse arm
Miles College Golden Bears (24–25–1, 17–14 SIAC)
Miles enters the tournament as a resilient and well-rounded club, finishing one win shy of .500 overall while posting a strong 17–14 mark in SIAC play. The Golden Bears boast depth at the plate, speed on the bases, and a bullpen anchored by an elite closer.
Offensively, Gavin Millians (.363 AVG, 19 SB) and Camden Matthews (.353 AVG, 5 HR) lead a lineup that features seven players batting over .275. Brandon Leroy (.336 AVG, 8 HR, 36 RBI) provides the power in the middle, while Casey Threats (41 SB) is one of the most dangerous base stealers in HBCU baseball. Nick Copen (.325 AVG, 4 HR) remains a key two-way threat.
On the mound, the Golden Bears’ bullpen has been their strength. Camden Matthews is among the nation’s top closers with 9 saves and a 3.86 ERA in 35 innings. Jaelyn Rhynes leads the team with 8 wins in 62 innings, while Jayson Wood (4.19 ERA) adds reliability to the rotation. Despite a team ERA of 8.49, Miles’ ability to score (278 runs) and turn double plays (41) has helped offset its pitching woes.
Statistical Leaders:
- AVG: Gavin Millians – .363
- HR: Brandon Leroy – 8
- RBI: Leroy – 36, Millians – 35
- SB: Casey Threats – 41 (44 attempts)
- Wins: Jaelyn Rhynes – 8
- Saves: Camden Matthews – 9
- ERA (min 30 IP): Matthews – 3.86
STORYLINES TO WATCH
- Contrasting Offenses: Power vs. Pressure: This tournament offers a fascinating clash in offensive styles. Morehouse and Miles bring power and on-base threats, led by sluggers like Robert Robinson (MHC) and Brandon Leroy (MC), while Tuskegee and Dillard lean on small-ball and elite speed. Tuskegee leads the field with 223 stolen bases, followed closely by Dillard (119) and Miles (186), making the basepaths a battlefield all weekend.
- Closer Advantage: Miles’ Late-Inning Edge: While most teams in the tournament have struggled to lock down games late, Miles College brings one of the most reliable closers in HBCU baseball. Camden Matthews has racked up 9 saves with a 3.86 ERA, giving the Golden Bears a unique weapon in tight contests.
- Pitching Vulnerabilities Across the Board: All four teams enter with elevated team ERAs: Tuskegee (8.82), Dillard (7.37), Morehouse (6.79), and Miles (8.49). Offensive surges are likely, meaning bullpen depth and defensive execution could swing outcomes more than starting pitching alone. Three of the four teams carry staff ERAs above 7.00, meaning timely offense and bullpen resilience will be critical.
- Individual Star Power: The tournament is loaded with standout hitters: Angel Polanco (Dillard, .413 AVG, 9 HR), Elijah Pinckney (Morehouse, .426 AVG), Brandon Leroy (Miles, 8 HR), and James Slaughter (Tuskegee, .361 AVG, 45 SB). Several players have the potential to carry their team to the final.
- Morehouse’s Offensive Firepower vs. Dillard’s Aggressive Running Game: In the opener, the contrast between plate discipline and basepath chaos will make for a compelling clash.
- Pitching Depth: Miles holds the advantage in innings-eating arms. Can they quiet Morehouse and Dillard’s hot bats?
- Tuskegee’s Spoiler Role: The Golden Tigers have struggled with run prevention but can generate pressure with elite team speed.
- Final Day Fireworks: Saturday promises thrilling finishes, with HBCU bragging rights and the inaugural MBP trophy on the line under the lights at Riverwalk.
- Tournament Momentum vs. Season Trends:
Tuskegee owns series wins over both Miles and Morehouse, while Dillard split with both NCAA teams they’ve faced. Meanwhile, Morehouse and Miles come in with renewed confidence, having surged late in the season. Will regular-season results repeat, or will postseason urgency rewrite the narrative?
FINAL THOUGHT
The MBP HBCU Final 4 is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of HBCU baseball excellence and a glimpse into the future of the sport. With fierce rivalries, elite athletes, and high-stakes drama, Montgomery’s Riverwalk Stadium is set to host one of the most exciting weekends of the Black college baseball season.
Stay tuned to Black College Nines for daily coverage, standout performances, and championship highlights.
About Minority Baseball Prospects
Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) is a national organization dedicated to increasing exposure, access, and opportunities for minority baseball players across the country. MBP provides player development, showcases, national tournaments, and media platforms specifically focused on elevating Black and minority athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. The HBCU Final 4 is part of MBP’s mission to spotlight HBCU baseball programs and create meaningful experiences for student-athletes at historically Black institutions. For more information, visit www.minoritybaseball.com.
A.D. Drew currently serves as the Director of Athletic Marketing at Morehouse College. Previously Drew has served as an independent consultant in athletic communications, having worked events such as The Celebration Bowl, MEAC-SWAC Challenge, Black College World Series, SWAC Championship Game, multiple SIAC championship events, and Gulf South Conference events, in addition to regular season sports and events at every NCAA and NAIA level. Drew has also completed athletic communications consulting work for institutions on NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Drew was previously the SIAC contributor to D2Football.com.
Drew does work for the Black College Sports Network, where he has worked as a producer, director, and on-air talent. Drew has provided either play-by-play or color analysis for the Orange-Blossom Classic, the Black College World Series, the GCAC (now HBCUAC) basketball tournament, SIAC Baseball, Softball, and Men’s Volleyball Championships, and regular season games for football, flag football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball. Drew regularly hosts a podcast, the BCSN SportsWrap with Bryan and A.D., most Sundays on the BCSN.
Drew currently is a board member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association. Drew is a member of the College Sports Communicators. In the past, Drew has served as the Director of Administration for the Black College World Series (2022) and as the Director of Athletic Communications at Thomas University.