Who’s Hot in HBCU baseball returns for another season. This past weekend both “small school” and “large school” HBCU baseball programs competed for the first time and we continue to highlight the weekend’s play and look at the players who stood out.
Talladega College
Talladega pitcher Samuel Guadamuz (W, 1-0) had an impressive performance, pitching 6.0 innings in Talladega’s 12-2 victory over Wilberforce University in an HBCUAC conference game. He allowed 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 11 batters.
Edward Waters University
Edward Waters infielder Torry Jones was a standout player in the series against LeMoyne-Owens this weekend. In the first game, which ended in a 13-3 win, Jones went 3-for-4 with 2 runs, 3 hits, and 6 runs batted in, including a double and a home run. In game 2, a dominant 30-6 win, he excelled again, going 3-for-5 with 3 runs, 3 hits, and 7 runs batted in, featuring 2 doubles and another home run. In the series finale game 3, a 16-7 victory, he was 1-for-3, scoring 4 runs, with 1 double and 2 runs batted in. Overall, Jones tallied 15 runs batted in over the weekend.
Savannah State University
Kendal Spencer, an outfielder for Savannah State, narrowly missed hitting for the cycle in the Tigers’ 11-0 win over Lane College on Saturday. In his second at-bat during the second inning, he hit a double to right field that drove in one run. He followed this with a triple to right field in the third inning, adding two more runs batted in. Spencer then singled to left field for another run batted in. In the sixth inning, with the bases loaded, he walked, which ended his chance to hit for the cycle.
Stillman College
The Stillman Tigers baseball team won two out of three games against Voorhees University in their first-ever HBCU Athletic Conference matchup. Stillman claimed a 4-1 victory in game one, was narrowly defeated 16-15 in the second game, and secured a thrilling 5-4 win in the series finale. Griff Minor (1-0) pitched seven strong innings in the first game, striking out six batters while allowing only one earned run on seven hits.
Xavier University of Louisiana (LA)
Xavier University of Louisiana juniors Kai Higginson and Lawrence Steed tied the school’s second-era record for home runs in a game with two each on Friday. However, LSU-Alexandria overcame the Gold Rush, winning 13-9 and 14-1 to complete a three-game sweep in their Red River Athletic Conference series.
Grambling State University
Grambling State’s Cameron Hill drove in an impressive 11 runs in Grambling State’s 20-10 victory over Southern University in the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic at Daikin Park on Saturday. Hill went 4-for-5, contributing two home runs and two doubles to the win.
Wiley University
Wiley University’s Keyon Guillory (W, 3-0) delivered an outstanding performance, allowing just 1 hit and 1 earned run over 7.0 innings as the Wildcats defeated Philander Smith 11-1. Guillory struck out 10 batters for the complete game win.
Notable Mention:
Florida Memorial freshman Jesus Portillo threw 103 pitches over 6.0 innings, allowing 4 hits and 2 runs (none earned), 1 walk, and striking out 2 batters, before handing the game to the bullpen in the Lions’ 4-2 victory.