Seventeen Historically Black College and University (HBCU) “small school” division baseball programs have punched tickets to 2018 postseason tournaments which start this week.
HBCU “small schools” have a real shot to advance to national tournaments including teams with losing records.
HBCUs in the small school in the NAIA are in a unique position to advance without necessarily winning their respective conference championship game. Edward Waters and Talladega, both conference rivals from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference can secure the automatic bid as they compete in the Association of Independent Institution (A.I.I.) Baseball Tournament held in Lawrenceville, Georgia. The conference champion and the runner up receive an automatic berths to the national championship. If they can get a couple big wins in the tournament, it will be interesting to watch to see if they can advance.
Let’s take a look at HBCU Baseball postseason overview.
Winston Salem State University
(30-17 .638) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Possible Postseason tournament, NCAA Division II.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 2, NCAA DII Atlantic Region No. 8
Postseason Overview: The Rams, looking for a return trip to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region, six in the last seven seasons. One game away from the DII World Series last season.
Edward Waters College
(28-23 .549) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #5 Seed Association of Independent Institutions/Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (NAIA). Open play against #4 Fisher College May 5 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex in Lawrenceville, GA.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 8
Postseason Overview: The second halve of the season the Tigers were reeling. Lost six games to ranked teams by one run in each of those games. If they can turn it around will need to get three big wins at the A.I.I. tournament to remain in the at-large selection for the NAIA national tournament. View Game: Live Video Live Stats Use Code: 675cr8r8tx
Talladega College
(24-23 .511) Regular Season Completed Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) Regular Season Champions
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #3 Seed Association of Independent Institutions/Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (NAIA). Open play against #2 College of the Ozarks May 5 at the Grizzly Baseball Complex in Lawrenceville, GA.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 9
Postseason Overview: Last season NAIA National Tournament trip will spell dividends for the Tornados. This season defeated five nationally ranked NAIA baseball programs including No. 1 Faulkner University. Talladega badly wants a return to the NAIA Tournament. Possible match with long time conference rival Edward Waters.
View Game: Live Video Live Stats
Harris-Stowe State University
(30-22 .625) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason conference tournament, # 6 Seed in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) Championship. Opens tournament against #3 Seed Missouri Baptist May 3rd, at 7:00 PM Central Daylight Time. The tournament will take place at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin, Mo.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 5
Postseason Overview: The Hornets bullpen must finish ballgames. The bullpen allowed five walk-offs this season. Second straight 30 win season in 2018. Play errorless can take the conference tournament.
Jarvis Christian College
(26-29 .473) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #5 Seed Red River Athletic Conference (NAIA). Open play against #3 seed LSU Alexandria 12 P.M. May 4 at Pilots Field in Shreveport, Louisiana.
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: The Bulldogs make their sixth consecutive conference tournament appearance. The Bulldogs are looking to avenge last year’s tournament lost that kept them from advancing to the NAIA National Tournament. Ace of the staff Joseph Lydall will need help from the bullpen to step up and grind through the RRAC. Live Stream Live Stats
Miles College
(29-16 .644) Regular Season Compl
eted
Next Game: Postseason tournament, 1 Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #4 Paine College (South Carolina) May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 1
Postseason Overview: The Golden Bears finished the 2018 season 12-1 in the SIAC. They have the depth, leadership and drive for a second straight NCAA Division II playoff appearance. Listen to game: Live Audio
Florida Memorial University
(24-19 .558) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #3 Seed SUN Conference (NAIA). Open play against #4 Keiser University May 4 FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches – West Palm Beach, Florida.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 7
Postseason Overview: This team goes all out on the mound and at the plate which has produced timely hitting and good pitching all year long. On the defensive side, If they can stay away from making senseless errors, the Lions can be the talk of the tournament. Opens up against #4 seed Keiser whom they defeated 2 out of 3 games this past April. View Game: Live Video Live Stats
Paine College
(16-22 .421) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #4 East Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #1 Miles College May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: The 2018 season was full of inconsistency,but when they are on they can be one of the more balanced teams in terms of both ability to score runs and limiting opposing offenses.
Kentucky State University
(17-21 .447) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #2 West Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #3 East Clark Atlanta University May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: Strong pitching was up and down during the regular season. Luckily the bats were more than willing to pick up the slack.
Claflin University
(14-30 .318) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #2 East Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #3 Tuskegee University May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: It was a roller coaster of a season for Claflin. Good in conference, not so out. But they defied the odds. Look for Claflin to steal the conference tournament like they did two years ago.
Lane College
(5-32 .135) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #4 West Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #1 East Albany State University May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: Won five games this season and made the tournament. WOW.
Albany State University
(23-16 .590) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #2 West Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #4 West Lane College (South Carolina) May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 3
Postseason Overview: There are few teams with more talent on the roster than Albany State. My pick to click in the SIAC Championships.
Clark Atlanta University
(17-23 .425) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #3 East Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #2 West Kentucky State University May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: When the offense struggles, the pitching bears down, and when the pitching gives up several runs, the offense is there to pick up the slack. That was the first half of the season.
Tuskegee University
(14-30 .318) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, #3 West Seed Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Baseball Postseason Tournament. Begins tournament against #2 East Claflin May 3 12 P.M. Game will be played Paul Eames Sports Complex (Field 2) 1130 Ball Park Ln, Albany, GA 31705 and Albany State University, West Campus (Field 1) 2400 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: The offense can struggle from a lack of impact bats, so one big inning for Tuskegee could be all it takes to decide the tournament. Listen to game: Live Audio
Selma University
(13-12 .520) Regular Season Completed
Next Game: Postseason tournament, waiting for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) selection show May 7.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 10, USCAA No. 11
Postseason Overview: Making 8th straight playoff appearance.
Bluefield State College
(17-19 .472)
Next Game: Two regular season games remaining at Central Penn. Postseason tournament, waiting for the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) selection show May 7.
National Ranking: Unranked
Postseason Overview: Big Blue scuffled at the start of the season, but they started to come into their own as the coaching staff figured out the right combinations in the lineup and on the mound.
West Virginia State University
(26-18 .591)
Next Game: Four remaining games, University of Charleston. Postseason tournament, Mountain East Conference tournament May 10 Institute, WV Eppling Stadium – Beckley, WV.
National Ranking: HBCU Baseball Small School No. 6
Postseason Overview: Despite their 26-18 overall record, the Yellow Jackets can win their conference outright but they will need a strong showing in the Mountain East tournament.