Lincoln University (PA)
Conference: East Coast Conference (ECC) (NCAA Div II)
Head Coach: Anthony Plá, 13th Season
2023 Record: 12-35 (.255)
BCN 2023 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: Unranked
Top Returning Players:
Alex “AJ” Jones, OF
Jefry Azcona, INF
Hilbert Nina De Leon, RHP
Top Recruits (Freshmen):
Dennis Flores, RHP
Darryl Husband, IF
Preseason Overview:
The 2024 Lincoln University Lions will boast a roster that has depth and experience at virtually every position. The breakdown of the 30-man roster is as follows; 10 seniors, 5 juniors, 9 sophomores and 6 freshmen. The season will consist of 47 regular season games beginning with the Peach Tree City Classic on February 9-10, in Atlanta, Georgia.
This year’s schedule has the Lions playing 13 games against NCAA DII HBCU programs, finishing with Virginia State at home April 13-14. The schedule will be challenging, but it will be exactly what the Lions need to be prepared for the East Coast Conference (ECC) slate of games. Lincoln has a chance to win the conference tournament outright, which carries an automatic postseason berth in the DII Regionals, or get ranked in Black College Nines HBCU Baseball Top 10 Poll and earn a selection to the Black College World Series (BCWS) this May in Montgomery, AL.
Some players to watch for the 2024 season are seniors, Alex “AJ” Jones (OF), Jefry Azcona (IF) who are closing in on some program career records, juniors Wesley Hogan (IF/P) and Miguel Agramonte (OF) who should be in the middle of Lincoln’s offensive attack, sophomores Jaden Greenidge (IF/P) and Jalen Greenidge (IF) who are coming off of solid freshman campaigns. Expect some serious contributions from freshman class with Dennis Flores (RHP) set to flirt with the rotation after a solid fall season, Darryl Husband (IF) who can play multiple IF positions and is a switch hitter, Dominic Smithers (IF) who can play multiple IF positions and handle the bat, and Dwayne Davis (RHP) who should provide some length in a relatively unproven bullpen.
Aside from these players, there are several other players who have professional level skills and could be a dark horse to land on a Minor League Baseball roster after this season. Senior catcher Anthony Burgos boasts a big arm consistently below 2.0 with his pop time, runs extremely well for a catcher and has some real gap to gap power. Senior Hilbert Nina De Leon (RHP) has wipeout stuff on the mound. Paired with a low 90’s fastball his slider poses a difficult at bat for any hitter. The big framed righty was limited with his innings in 2023 after having surgery in the middle of 2022.
With some significant changes on the roster and the coaching staff this team has a ton to prove. The fall had many bright spots and has shown the depth and resiliency of this group. After a record setting 2023 season where the team set 22 school records in the DII era, the outlook for 2024 is promising.
Recruiting Note:
Can freshmen compete at the collegiate level when the 2024 season starts? No JUCO or players from the transfer portal.