NCAA Division I baseball’s opening weekend is scheduled for February 17, 2023, this includes HBCU programs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), Northeast Conference (NEC), and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
Here’s what to look for in 2023 for the HBCU baseball large schools…
One opening weekend matchup to be excited about:
Southern vs Jackson State.
Which team will reign supreme in large school HBCU baseball 2023?
Prairie View A&M has arms up and down the pitching staff. Coppin State is stacked, but don’t count out Southern. Bethune Cookman and Florida A&M should be in the hunt, but there could be a surprise lurking in the midst…with Delaware State knocking on the door.
Which team will reign supreme in the SWAC?
Prairie View A&M and Bethune Cookman. Still watch Michael Robertson’s Texas Southern Tigers.
What’s going on in the SWAC West?
University Arkansas Pine Bluff has not had a significant win since 2015. Head Coach Carlos James filled some needs, depth from recruiting will enhance position battles. Look for UAPB in the middle of the pack during season.
Which team is the fan favorite in the SWAC?
No doubt Alabama State. But fans don’t play the game.
Who will win a stacked SWAC Eastern Division?
Bethune Cookman will position themselves especially on the Hill. The Florida schools will make an impact, watch out.
Will Alcorn State climb out of the cellar?
Last season was a step backwards and a restructuring season was fair for this year.
Can Delaware State be the surprised HBCU team In the Northeast Conference in 2023?
Yes.
Can Alabama State make another SWAC Championship/NCAA Regional appearance?
Don’t count out a Jose’ Vazquez’s squad.
Can Coppin State make it back to the NCAA Regionals?
My gut feeling is that Coppin State have a cast of three returning regulars on the mound that will round out the weekend pitching rotation, plus they had a good recruiting class come in.
What’s in store for opening weekend 2023? Follow Black College Nines coverage of HBCU Baseball the entire season.
Weekend schedule…
Friday, February 17
Prairie View A&M vs Houston Astros Classic 9:00am
Grambling State vs Prairie View A&M 12:00pm
Coppin State vs Saint Peter’s 3:00pm
Delaware State at The Citadel 3:00pm
Norfolk State vs Morehead State 3:00pm
University of Maryland Eastern Shore at North Carolina A&T State University 4:00pm
Florida A&M vs Eastern Illinois University 4:00pm
Mississippi Valley State vs Texas Southern – 2023 Cactus Jack HBCU Classic 4:00pm
North Carolina A&T Baseball vs University of Maryland Eastern Shore 4:00pm
Texas Southern University Baseball vs Mississippi Valley State 4:00pm
Alabama A&M at Alcorn State 7:00pm
Alabama State vs Purdue Fort Wayne 7:00pm
Bethune-Cookman vs Lehigh 7:00pm
UAPB at Arkansas State 7:00pm
Southern vs Jackson State University 8:00pm
Saturday, February 18
Prairie View A&M vs Houston Astros Classic 10:00am
Coppin State vs Saint Peter’s 12:00pm
Mississippi Valley State vs Jackson State – 2023 Cactus Jack HBCU Classic 12:00pm
Norfolk State vs Morehead State 12:00pm
University of Maryland Eastern Shore at North Carolina A&T State University 2:00pm
Florida A&M vs Eastern Illinois University 2:00pm
North Carolina A&T vs University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2:00pm
Alabama State vs Purdue Fort Wayne 3:00pm
Delaware State at The Citadel 3:00pm
Norfolk State vs Morehead State 3:00pm
Alabama A&M at Alcorn State 4:00pm
Southern vs Grambling State 4:00pm
Grambling State vs Southern 4:00pm
UAPB at Arkansas State 4:00pm
Alabama State vs Purdue Fort Wayne 6:00pm
Bethune-Cookman vs Lehigh 8:00pm
Texas Southern vs Prairie View A&M
Sunday, February 19
Prairie View A&M vs Houston Astros Classic 10:00am
Bethune-Cookman vs Lehigh 12:00pm
Delaware State at The Citadel 12:00pm
Mississippi Valley State vs Grambling State – 2023 Cactus Jack HBCU Classic 12:00pm
Norfolk State vs Morehead State 12:00pm
Coppin State vs Saint Peter’s 1:00pm
University of Maryland Eastern Shore at North Carolina A&T State University 1:00pm
Florida A&M vs Eastern Illinois University 1:00pm
North Carolina A&T vs University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2:00pm
Alabama A&M at Alcorn State 2:00pm
Alabama State vs Purdue Fort Wayne 2:00pm
UAPB at Arkansas State 3:00pm
Jackson State University Baseball vs Prairie View A&M 4:00pm
Southern vs Texas Southern University 8:00pm