Black College Nines powered by the National Scouting Bureau is putting the power-five and Mid-Majors on notice: “Ignore the mid-week HBCU “Ambush” at your own peril.”
This wasn’t just another Tuesday on the diamond; it was a statement week, a collective statement that RPI is ready to be disrupted and respect is earned 9 innings at a time. The BC9 powered by the NSB is breaking down four marquee upsets that just changed the conversation.
Norfolk State 5, VCU 3 (Diamond Spoiler of the Week)
The Spartans headed to Richmond and pulled off the biggest stunner of the week, knocking off a potent VCU squad. Norfolk State didn’t run from the spotlight; they stole it. The ambush was executed flawlessly, built on clutch situational hitting and a bullpen that flat-out refused to blink. Trailing early, the Spartans manufactured runs when it counted, including a decisive sacrifice fly from Josiah Harrison and an RBI single from Brendan Burke in the 8th inning. VCU loaded the bases in the 9th, but Yasseel Samboy remained cool, stranding the tying and winning runs to secure the upset and earn the BC9 NSB “Diamond Spoiler of the Week.”
Alabama State 7, Georgia State 4
Georgia State is no stranger to deep postseason runs, but they ran into a wall of Hornets in Atlanta. Alabama State wasn’t intimidated by the Sun Belt pedigree, utilizing a high-octane offense that piled up 11 hits. The statement play came courtesy of Jackson Williams, who launched a decisive 3-run home run to give ASU a lead they would not surrender. Jacob Loeffler provided essential work out of the bullpen to bridge the gap to closer Caio Araujo, who slammed the door to secure the ranked victory.
Southern University 6, McNeese State 2
This was the type of road win that alters a season’s trajectory. Southern crossed state lines and dominated a physical McNeese lineup, holding the Cowboys to just 2 runs on their own turf. The performance was fueled by Ryan Hunter, who recorded three hits and two RBIs, and a masterful start from Myl Dismute, who earned the win with four dominant innings. This was complementary baseball at its finest, showing that the Jaguars can win high-scoring affairs or lock down a low-scoring thriller.
North Carolina A&T 10, Gardner-Webb 6
The Aggies provided the late-inning fireworks in a shootout against Gardner-Webb, utilizing explosive “big innings” to overwhelm the Runnin’ Bulldogs. Trailing in the middle frames, A&T exploded for four runs in both the 5th and 6th innings. The catalyst was Andrew Tinsley, who launched a massive 3-run home run to flip the script, while Bruce Wyche continued his hot week with a critical RBI double. Gardner-Webb attempted a late rally, but the Aggie bullpen held firm to secure the hard-fought win.
The Bottom Line!!!
This mid-week ambush isn’t a fluke; it’s a trend. These four wins represent a collective push by HBCU programs to not just compete, but to conquer marquee non-conference opponents.
About the Author
Rod White is a veteran scout and the National Scouting Director for the National Scouting Bureau (NSB). A graduate of Scout School with the Toronto Blue Jays, Rod has served in scouting roles within the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies organizations and is a key selection committee member and scout for the MLB HBCU Swingman Classic.
Most recently, as the Head Baseball Coach at Dillard University, Rod led the program to unprecedented goals and a .660 winning percentage during his tenure. An alumnus and former assistant coach of Alabama State University, Rod has dedicated his career to the elevation of the game at every level.
As the founder of NSB, NSB ScoutWire, the ScoutsEye App, and the We Play Baseball Podcast, Rod blends a traditional scout’s “eye test” with modern data-driven analytics to identify “fast-track” prospects. His mission remains clear: ensuring that all baseball talent receives the professional visibility and evaluation they deserve, with a steadfast commitment to minority and HBCU players.