Kentucky State University
Conference: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)
Head Coach: Rob Henry, 12th Season
2023 Record: 21-23 (.477)
Black College Nines (BCN) 2023 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Top Returning Players:
Joe Esparza, 1B
Collier Higgs, OF
Top Freshman Recruits:
Mitchell Collins, INF
Bakari Rush, C
Top JUCO Transfer:
Danzel Lucas (Moraine Valley CC)
Top Transfer/Portal
Collin Williams, INF Redshirt freshman (Tuskegee)
Seth Adams RHP, (Kentucky Christian)
Preseason Overview:
Kentucky State University Thorobreds head coach Rob Henry is optimistic about his program’s prospects for the 2024 season. The ‘Breds return 2023 HBCU Baseball Black College Nines Elite first teamer and Player of the Year Joe Esparza 1B (.428 BA, 16 HR, 73 RBI, .862 SLG), along with senior outfielders Collier Higgs (.321 BA, 4 HR, 32 RBI) and Treyvon Fletcher (.350 BA, 18 RBI, .463 SLG). Additional returning starters to the lineup include third baseman Cedric Poellnitz, catcher Isaiah Zepeda-Felix, and outfielders Kelton Saylor and Antonio Chambers, with sophomore Zion Lewis providing depth at all three-outfield positions.
Kentucky State should be strong on the mound returning 2023 SIAC strikeout leader Eric Turner (6-3, 3.78 ERA, 81 IP, 87 K), Dacarrius Chapman (7-6, 8.91 ERA, 68.2 IP, 65 K), Dashawn Hureskin (4-5, 5.57 ERA, 103.1 IP in 2022), seniors Solomon Reed and Cullen Odom, junior Jalen Anderson, sophomore setup man Brad Dossett, redshirt freshman Aarion Fry and senior closer Mike Pedraza (1-1, 1.50 ERA, 12 IP, 13 K, 2 SV in an injury-shortened season).
Several newcomers will help round out the KSU starting lineup and pitching staff. Incoming freshman Mitchell Collins will compete with returning sophomore Preston Jones for the starting role at shortstop, while freshman Bakari Rush will provide depth behind the plate along with junior Isaiah Johnson and sophomore Kendall Garland. Senior Parker White and sophomore Brad Dossett will compete for the starting spot at second base along with redshirt freshman transfer Collin Williams (Tuskegee). Junior transfer Danzel Lucas (Moraine Valley CC), along with redshirt freshmen Jayden Clark and Anthony Holt will also compete for time at 1st base and DH and redshirt freshman Gavyn Minyard will push for playing time at 3rd base. Senior transfer Seth Adams (Kentucky Christian), junior transfer Yosvany Marquez (LeMoyne-Owen), and freshman transfer Natanael Ocasio (Union College) will also help round out the pitching staff.
The ‘Breds open the 2024 season with a three-game non-conference series facing Morehouse College on Feb. 3-4, then visit the University of West Alabama on Feb. 10-11 before beginning conference play on Feb. 17-18th at Savannah State University.