Black College Nines takes a look at all the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) “small school” division baseball programs as we summarize each team’s 2018 year-to-date mid-season performance.
Albany State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 13-13
Albany State on course to win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) title. A very tough non-conference schedule against top-notch NCAA Division II programs appears to be working in their favor.
Benedict College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 13-9
Besides the bat of the Big Three, David White, Jr., Andrew McCoy, Armando Valentin, again up to their customary base stealing antics, “the greatest show on dirt”. Will explode in the second half of the season.
Bluefield State College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 7-10
Big Blue pitching is keeping them in ball games plus they have shown offense around the plate. Team can make some noise toward seasons’ end.
Claflin University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 9-21
The Panthers were expected to compete for an SIAC championship in 2018. The team lacks consistency at the plate and in the field which is producing a long season for head coach James Randle.
Concordia College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 3-29
The schools administration never really took to baseball. The late night practices have hurt the entire pitching staff and position players.
Edward Waters College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 21-12
EWC has become a consistent ball club, can make a run for post season action, must get by conference rival Talladega who has their number.
Florida Memorial University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 20-14
Head coach Florentino Burgos had already this season established the team as a contender in a loaded SUN Conference. The Lions have impressive depth to their lineup. They have nine regulars hitting and a bench that gets things done plus they have arm presence.
Harris-Stowe State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 23-12
The Hornets are off to the best start in programs history. Ranked in Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Top 10 small school poll. This is a tremendously good team. Big crop of talent, power at the plate, defense and pitching, young with arms in the bullpen. Biggest weakness…five losses have come allowing teams to walk-off runs.
Huston-Tillotson University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 4-27
Competing in the rugged Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) has been a daunting task this season. Currently on a 16 game losing streak.
Jarvis Christian University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 19-18
The Bulldogs were supposed to be in a another rebuilding year this season, but at 19-18, they have the makeup to return to make the Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) Tournament. They will look to continue hitting, pitching with ace Joseph Lyall, and speed on the base path.
Kentucky State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 11-11
Another surprise team of the 2018 season, timely hitting pushing runners across the plate, and starting pitching leading to victories. With solid bats and pitching, we definitely think this team’s very capable of playing for an SIAC conference title.
Lane College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 1-26
More was expected under second year head coach John Bates. Had a good recruiting class come in during the fall but costly errors and walks have allowed runs to score. Both lack of pitching and hitting is a major concern.
LeMoyne-Owen College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 1-15
Another rebuilding year for LeMoyne-Owen baseball program and head baseball coach Mark Smith. Played in some close ballgames this season. Costly errors and walks by the Magicians have allowed runs to score.
Lincoln University, PA
2018 Mid-Season Record: 0-11
The Lincoln University Lions inconsistency is an issue and not enough games played under their belts.
Miles College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 19-13
Miles has what it takes to get back to the NCAA Division II Regional’s this season, as it returns senior third basemen Reeves Brashear power bat in the lineup. The Golden Bears was projected to have a deep pitching staff to combat a tough non-conference schedule. Pitching has let this ball club down, but maybe the starters have set themselves up to be a big factor in the SIAC West Division. Bank on it.
Morehouse College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 10-20
Coming into the season the talk around the SIAC, Morehouse was ready to take the conference. They started off hot winning ball games but have fizzled. Problems are hitting and pushing runners across the plate. Can they manage the adversity?
Morris College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 1-4
2018 Season just underway.
Paine College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 11-12
The Lions are starting to live up to preseason expectation. Both starters and relievers picking each other up and not allowing inherited runners to score. Paine will finish at the top of the division once again led by Black College Nines preseason All-American Evan Krenz.
Rust College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 2-15
The Bearcats are lacking power at the plate, defense and pitching. Short on hitting fielding, and pitching.
Selma University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 5-8
When it comes to scoring runs, Selma has been inconsistently leaving runners stranded in scoring position. The jump they made from the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) could jeopardize a eighth straight playoff appearance.
Saint Augustine’s University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 10-17
RHP Marquis Johnson is pitching well but the second and third starters have not gotten run support when pitching.
Stillman College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 12-13
The Tigers have a very tough non-conference schedule verses top ranked NAIA and HBCU programs. This team under veteran first year head coach Terrance Whittle is playing like a veteran ball club after a rough start. Could surprise teams if they make A.I.I. conference tournament.
Talladega College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 20-13
Their success will largely depend on the ability of some of their young pitchers to take a step forward. Julian Fitts is the most talented of the bunch along with Daniel Castillo and Manuell Caballero who will help boost Talladega back to the NAIA National Tournament. Tough nonconference schedule including tough conference rival Edward Waters and A.I.I. opponent Georgia Gwinnet.
Texas College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 17-19
Head baseball coach Anthony Macon coming from NCAA Division I baseball has turned the Steers around and have won more games this season than last which is a positive, but inconsistency is a concern.
Tougaloo College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 12-16
The Bulldogs heading into the start of the season added a competitive schedule to build upon its team strength especially on the mound. Ace of the staff Lige Mims, jr. has won some tough ball games along with help from the relievers as they are gaining experience. The surprised team of the 2018 season.
Tuskegee University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 6-21
The Golden Tigers were picked to finish atop of the SIAC conference with a crop experienced player returning from last season. Injuries, lack of pitching, and hitting with consistency has hurt Tuskegee.
Virginia State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 14-7
Hitting, fielding and pitching have lead to a 14-7 record and receiving votes in Black College Nines top 10 and Atlantic Division II poll. What has gone right with a talented Trojans baseball team? Hitting, pitching, and playing errorless ball.
Voorhees College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 5-8
Voorhees lack depth from a year ago 20-20 season. Plus, they have cut back in scheduled games this season, play six games against Morris College
West Virginia State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 14-11
This may very well be a good year for the Yellow Jackets. West Virginia State is facing a tough non-conference schedule and competition will also be strong within the conference, but they do have some good weekend arms at the one and two spots in the rotation.
Wiley College
2018 Mid-Season Record: 11-16
Lost some tough games this season. Weakness is not being able to plate runners in close games with men on base but they are getting through innings offensively and defensively.
Winston-Salem State University
2018 Mid-Season Record: 18-12
The Rams are just starting to crank up. Pitching has led to some tough wins. As an NCAA Division II independent, they appear ready to make a run and return to the regionals.