Bethune-Cookman in the large school division and Albany State in the small school division retain top spots for third straight poll in Black College Nines’ top 10 polls of 2026.
Defending large school champion Bethune-Cookman University tops the rankings in the third edition of the Black College Nines’ Historically Black College and University regular season Top 10 baseball poll as announced on April 8, 2026. The large school classification is made up of NCAA Division I institutions.
Texas Southern University holds steady at number two in this week’s poll while Florida A&M jumps one spot to number three.
The next seven spots are familiar names, as all were ranked in Black College Nines’ last poll. While they all were previously included, there was a fair amount of jockeying of positions. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff moved up from number seven to number four and Alabama State dropped from number three to the fifth spot this week. Jackson State slides two spots drown to number eight.
In the small school division, which includes NCAA Division II schools as well as those affiliated with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), Albany State University claims the top spot for the third straight poll.
Thanks to a recent 10-1 run, Talladega College takes over the number two spot with Edward Waters University moving up to number three from its previous ranking of number five. Savannah State University jumps from number six to the fourth slot in this week’s poll.
Two newcommers to the third edition of Black College Nines’ poll are Stillman College at number eight and Morehouse College at number ten.
Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Ranking Committee determines the Top 10 rankings for both large schools and small schools.
Records indicated are through April 5th.
The two divisional polls are as follows…
Large School Poll
| Rank | School | Current Record | Winning Pct. | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama State University (SWAC) | 14-16 | 0.467 | 5 | |
| Univ of Arkansas Pine Bluff (SWAC) | 15-19 | 0.441 | 4 | |
| Bethune Cookman University (SWAC) | 22-10 | 0.687 | 1 | |
| Florida A&M University (SWAC) | 15-14 | 0.517 | 3 | |
| Grambling State University (SWAC) | 11-19 | 0.367 | 6 | |
| Jackson State University (SWAC) | 14-18 | 0.437 | 8 | |
| Norfolk State University (NEC) | 12-17 | 0.414 | 9 | |
| North Carolina A&T University (CAA) | 9-21 | 0.300 | 10 | |
| Southern University (SWAC) | 11-19 | 0.367 | 7 | |
| Texas Southern University (SWAC) | 15-12 | 0.556 | 2 |
Receiving Votes: Mississippi Valley State Universary
Small School Poll
| Rank | School | Current Record | Winning Pct | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State University (SIAC) | 22-13 | 0.629 | 1 | |
| Benedict College (SIAC) | 16-10 | 0.615 | 7 | |
| Edward Waters University (SIAC) | 21-16 | 0.568 | 3 | |
| Florida Memorial University (SUN) | 16-20 | 0.444 | 6 | |
| Huston-Tillotson University (HBCUAC) | 22-15 | 0.595 | 5 | |
| Morehouse College (SIAC) | 16-15 | 0.516 | 10 | |
| Savannah State (SIAC) | 18-16 | 0.529 | 4 | |
| Stillman College (HBCUAC) | 16-13 | 0.552 | 8 | |
| Talladega College (HBCUAC) | 21-14 | 0.600 | 2 | |
| Wiley University (HBCUAC) | 16-16 | 0.500 | 9 |
Receiving Votes: Bluefield State University, Miles College, Southern University at New Orleans, West Virginia State University
2026 Poll Dates (with links to poll results):
Week 1 (March 11 , 2026)
Week 2 (March 25, 2026)
Week 3 (April 8, 2026)
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 which is composed of the 17 HBCU schools representing NCAA Division I and a “small school” division made up of the 38 HBCU schools with NCAA Division II, NAIA NCCAA and USCAA status.