NCAA Division I baseball’s opening weekend is scheduled for February 19, 2021 and this includes HBCU programs in both the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) and the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).
Featured games this weekend will be played in the annual Andre Dawson MLB Classic. This year’s MLB Classic opens the season in New Orleans for six HBCU Division I baseball programs from the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
The college baseball preseason polls are out and there are high expectations for HBCU baseball large school programs once again. Here’s what to look for in 2021 for the HBCU baseball large schools…
One opening weekend matchup to be excited about:
Grambling State vs Jackson State in the Andre Dawson Classic.
Which team will reign supreme in large school HBCU baseball 2021?
Look for Alabama State returning its entire roster from the HBCU baseball championship season last year. North Carolina A&T is stacked, but don’t count out Jackson State. Grambling State and Texas Southern should be in the hunt, but there could be a surprise lurking in the midst…with Prairie View A&M knocking on the door.
Which team will reign supreme in the SWAC?
Jackson State if they don’t die out at the end of the season. Still watch Michael Robertson’s Texas Southern Tigers.
What’s going on in the SWAC West?
Head coach Carlos James has University Arkansas Pine Bluff primed to win a West Division title. James filled some needs going into the season and he expects to get back on track on the mound in 2021. Depth from recruiting will enhance position battles. Look for UAPB in the hunt for a division and conference title.
Which team will reign supreme in the SWAC?
No doubt Alabama State. Still, watch out for Michael Robertson’s Texas Southern Tigers and Jackson State.
Who will win a stacked SWAC Eastern Division?
Alabama State has plenty of pieces to compete, especially on the Hill. Alcorn State made some exciting progress in the off season. If they can make an impact, watch out.
Will Mississippi Valley State climb out of the celler?
Last season was a step backwards and a restructuring season was fair for this year. The national media won’t back off from a double-digit loss projection.
Can Delaware State win a MEAC Northern title in 2021?
Yes.
Can Texas Southern make another SWAC Championship/NCAA Regional appearance?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, head coach Michael Robertson is a regular season second half coach. I would not count them out.
Can North Carolina A&T make it back to MEAC Championship/Regional appearance?
My gut feeling is that the Aggies have a star-studded cast of three returning regulars on the mound. NCA&T will feature RHP Michael Johnson, LHP Ethan Chavis, and RHP Evan Gates, plus stablemates in the pen. RHP Cole Parks, RHP Leon Davidson and RHP Tim Davila, will round out the weekend pitching rotation. The North Carolina A&T Aggies had one of the best recruiting classes in the country amongst all HBCUs.
What’s in store for opening weekend 2021? Follow Black College Nines coverage of HBCU Baseball the entire season.
Weekend schedule…
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC)
Friday February 19th, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| Florida A&M | Stetson | TBA | DeLand, Fla. | ||
| Norfolk State | Old Dominion | 1:00 P.M. | Norfolk, Va. | ||
| Army | North Carolina Central | 4:00 P.M. | Durham, N.C. | ||
| North Carolina A&T State | College of Charleston | 4:00 P.M. | Charleston, S.C. |
Saturday February 20, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| Florida A&M | Stetson | TBA | DeLand, Fla. (DH) | ||
| North Carolina A&T State | College of Charleston | 1:00 P.M. | Charleston, S.C. | ||
| Norfolk State | Old Dominion | 2:00 P.M. | Norfolk, Va. | ||
| Coppin State | Navy | 2:00 P.M. | Annapolis, Md. | ||
| Army | North Carolina Central | 3:00 P.M. | Durham, N.C. |
Sunday February 21, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| Florida A&M | Stetson | TBA | DeLand, Fla. (DH) | ||
| North Carolina A&T State | College of Charleston | 1:00 P.M. | Charleston, S.C. | ||
| Army | North Carolina Central | 1:00 P.M. | Durham, N.C. | ||
| Coppin State | Navy | 1:00 P.M. | Annapolis, Md. | ||
| Norfolk State | Old Dominion | 2:00 P.M. | Norfolk, Va. |
Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Friday February 19, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| UAPB | Alcorn State | TBA | New Orleans, LA. | ||
| Grambling State | Jackson State | 11:00 A.M. | New Orleans, La | ||
| Alabama State | Prairie View A&M | 2:00 P.M. | New Orleans, LA | ||
| Prairie View A&M | Alabama State | 2:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Prairie View A&M | Alcorn State | 3:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Southern | University of Oklahoma | Cancelled | Norman, OK | ||
| Mississippi Valley State | Southeastern Louisiana University | 6:00 P.M. | Hammond, LA |
Saturday February 20, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| Prairie View A&M | Alabama A&M | 11:00 A.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Alabama A&M | UAPB | 2:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Southern | University of Oklahoma | Cancelled | Norman, OK | ||
| Mississippi Valley State | Southeastern Louisiana University | 3:00 P.M. | Hammond, LA | ||
| Grambling State | Alabama State | 6:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. |
Sunday February 21, 2021
| Away | Home | Time | Location | ||
| Alabama A&M | Prairie View A&M | 10:00 A.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Mississippi Valley State | Southeastern Louisiana University | 1:00 P.M. | Hammond, LA | ||
| Alabama State | New Orleans | 1:00 P.M. | New Orleans, LA | ||
| Southern | University of Oklahoma | Cancelled | Norman, OK | ||
| Alcorn State | Prairie View A&M | 2:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. | ||
| Alabama A&M | Grambling State | 5:00 P.M. | New Orleans, La. |