ATLANTA — Under the bright lights, the third annual HBCU Swingman Classic at Truist Park delivered a night of passion, power, and pride, as the National League squad stormed back from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the American League team 7–4 in a nationally televised showcase of elite talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Led by Jay Campbell’s game-tying two-run home run in the seventh and DeMarckus Smiley’s go-ahead RBI in the eighth, the NL used timely hitting and power pitching to claim victory in front of a crowd that included MLB legends, scouts, and proud HBCU alumni.
Game Highlights
- Top 1st:
AL struck first with a JT Taylor single and a stolen base, but NL starter Kameron Douglas held the line with two groundouts and a strikeout. - Bottom 2nd:
Douglas gave himself run support with a solo home run to deep center (417 ft), giving the NL a 1–0 lead. - Top 3rd (after brief weather delay):
The AL surged ahead with a two-run double from JT Taylor and an RBI single by Andrey Martinez, taking a 3–1 lead. - Top 6th:
AL pushed the lead to 4–1 after Joseph Eichelberger stole second and eventually came around to score on a pair of throwing errors. - Bottom 6th:
The NL began clawing back. Ahmar Donatto, pinch-hitting, singled home Tyler Smith to cut the deficit to 4–2. - Bottom 7th:
After a double by Kelton Phillips, Jay Campbell blasted a two-run homer to tie the game 4–4. - Bottom 8th:
The NL rallied again.Trey Bridges reached and moved to third on Smiley’s groundout, then scored on Jacoby Radcliffe’s infield single. Phillips followed with a hit, and Robert Tate Jr. drove in Radcliffe to cap the three-run inning and give NL a 7–4 lead. - Top 9th:
Kameron Douglas returned to the mound and struck out the first two batters. Jay Campbell came in to record the final out, sealing the win.
Awards & Honors
- Jay Campbell, a freshman, became the first FAMU player to win MVP in the Classic’s history.
- Elijah Pinckney (Morehouse College) made history as the first Division II player selected for the event and received the T-Mobile Impact Award for leadership on and off the field
Voices from the Dugout
- Brian Jordan (NL Manager):
“He deserves a shot,” he said of Kameron Douglas — a clear nod to the growing respect for two-way talent emerging from HBCUs. - David Justice (AL Manager):
Praised the event’s mission: “Not everybody can go to a Power‑5 conference… this is about letting these guys live out their dream.”
Designed as a platform for HBCU athletes to gain exposure to scouts and networks, the Swingman Classic delivers more than sport—it’s a statement. With MLB legends, broadcasters, and professional scouts in attendance, this showcase asserts that talent thrives at every level of college baseball. It bridges the gap between HBCU programs and professional opportunity, shining a light on overlooked pipelines of skill and ambition. The real victory was the elevated visibility and celebration of Black excellence, both culturally and athletically, under the night sky of All‑Star Weekend in Atlanta.