Sunday, May 4, 2025 – Dickey-Stephens Park, Little Rock, Ark. – 1:00 PM CDT
By A.D. Drew | Black College Nines Contributor
Talladega Tops SUNO to Claim HBCUAC Baseball Title, Both Headed to NAIA Tournament
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. | In a showdown for the HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) baseball championship, the Talladega College Tornadoes pulled away from Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) for an 8–3 victory at Dickey-Stephens Park on Sunday afternoon. With the win, Talladega secured the conference tournament crown, capping a dominant season, while both teams punched their tickets to the upcoming NAIA Baseball National Tournament.
A steady offensive attack in the middle innings propelled the Tornadoes to victory, as both teams secured bids to the upcoming NAIA Baseball National Tournament. Though the result was decisive, the game featured several momentum swings before Talladega’s late-inning offense broke it open. After SUNO narrowed the margin to 4–1 in the fifth, Talladega plated one in the sixth and three more in the seventh to secure the title.
Scoring Summary by Inning
3rd Inning — Talladega 1, SUNO 0:
Talladega broke the scoreless tie after Victor Rivera singled and eventually scored on a failed pickoff attempt. The error came on a wild throw by SUNO pitcher Joey Olveda, allowing Rivera to cross the plate unearned and give the Tornadoes an early 1–0 lead.
4th Inning — Talladega 4, SUNO 0:
The Tornadoes opened the game up with a 3-run frame. After a pair of runners reached, Joshua Catala delivered a 2-RBI single through the right side, scoring Jederik Velazquez and pinch runner Jeriel Lamboy. Catala later came around to score on Rivera’s third hit of the game, a base hit to left, pushing the lead to 4–0.
5th Inning — Talladega 4, SUNO 1:
SUNO broke through against Daniel Jose with three consecutive base hits. Darcy Franklin and Avery Spriggs singled to start the inning, and after a sacrifice, Kyler Shepherd poked an RBI infield single to short to score Franklin. However, a sharp lineout double play by Damian Lantigua ended the threat.
6th Inning — Talladega 5, SUNO 1:
Talladega added another run with textbook execution. Armando Jackson singled, advanced on a stolen base, and scored on Catala’s perfectly placed RBI sacrifice bunt.
7th Inning — Talladega 8, SUNO 1:
Talladega put the game out of reach with three more runs. Sebastian Pizarro was hit by a pitch and stole second and third. After Jaquan Nieves walked and also stole a base, Jackson smashed a 2-RBI double down the left field line. He was replaced by Lamboy, who later scored on an infield error, extending the lead to 8–1.
9th Inning — Final Push by SUNO:
Down to their final three outs, SUNO made one last push. Miles Bowens singled and Dylan Jimenez walked. Spriggs added his third hit of the day, and Herazo Jr. followed with a clutch RBI single. With the bases loaded, Shepherd was hit by a pitch to force in another run. But with the bases still full, Lantigua flew out to right to end the game.
Top Performers: Talladega College
Talladega (42–12) was led by outfielder Joshua Catala, who drove in three runs, including a key 2-RBI single in the fourth and an RBI sacrifice bunt in the sixth. Second baseman Victor Rivera had a standout day, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, while Armando Jackson added three hits and two RBIs, including a 2-run double in the seventh that effectively sealed the game.
Daniel Jose was masterful on the mound, tossing a complete game and allowing just three earned runs on eight hits while striking out six. The Tornadoes also excelled on the basepaths with seven total stolen bases, including two by Jeriel Lamboy, who also scored three runs after pinch-running.
Statistical Leaders-Talladega
Talladega (42–12, 27–3 HBCUAC)
- Victor Rivera: 3-for-5, RBI, run
- Joshua Catala: 1-for-3, 3 RBIs, run, SB
- Armando Jackson: 3-for-4, 2 RBIs, double
- Daniel Jose (W, 5–2): 9.0 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 6 K, 2 HBP
Top Performers: SUNO Knights
Despite the loss, SUNO (24–25) showed resilience at the plate, led by catcher Avery Spriggs, who collected three hits and scored a run. Center fielder Kyler Shepherd drove in two of the team’s three runs, including an RBI single in the fifth and a hit-by-pitch RBI in the ninth. Shortstop Enrique Herazo Jr. added a key ninth-inning RBI single as SUNO attempted a late rally.
Starter Joey Olveda (5–6) took the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) over four innings, while reliever Brycen Dartez gave up four more in three frames of relief.
SUNO (24–25, 16–14 HBCUAC)
- Avery Spriggs: 3-for-4
- Kyler Shepherd: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs
- Enrique Herazo Jr.: 1-for-4, RBI
- Joey Olveda (L, 5–6): 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (3 ER)
What’s Next
Both teams will represent the HBCUAC in the 2025 NAIA Baseball National Tournament. Talladega receives the conference’s automatic bid as regular-season champions, while SUNO earns the league’s second spot as the top tournament finisher outside of Talladega. The Tornadoes hope that their 40+ win season will be enough to earn an opportunity to host the first round of the NAIA Baseball National Tournament.
The official NAIA tournament field will be announced Wednesday at 5 PM EDT on www.naia.org.
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.