Below is a review of more HBCU ballplayers who were hot this weekend in another edition of Black College Nines Who’s Hot in HBCU Baseball.
Jackson State University
Jackson State defeated Prairie View A&M 12-0 to start their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play on the road on Friday. Erick Gonzalez (3-0) earned the victory, throwing 8.0 innings of shutout baseball. He allowed only four hits and no runs, while recording 13 strikeouts.
Norfolk State
Though the Spartans of Norfolk State continues to struggle to win games, 2024 Black College Nines Large School Player of the Year Justin Journette continues to shine at the plate. This weekend, Journette went 7-14 (.500) including three home runs.
Voorhees University
Keelan Sloan went 5-for-7, and Emory Guilford went 5-for-5. The duo each had 5 runs batted in during the Tigers’ 22-11 victory over Rust College on Sunday.
Alabama State University
The Hornets began their SWAC play on Friday, defeating Southern with a score of 14-8. Kyler McIntosh excelled at the plate, going 3-for-6 with one home run, one run scored, four runs batted in, and one stolen base. In the second game of the three-game series, McIntosh had an impressive performance, going 4-for-5 with two home runs—his third of the series—scoring two runs and driving in five runs. Be sure to check the box score for Sunday’s game.
Juan Cruz continues his hot hitting going 9-15 (.600) with six runs scored, four rbi, two doubles and a homerun.
Bethune Cookman University
Bethune-Cookman opened its SWAC schedule with a decisive victory over Alcorn State, defeating the Braves 15-4 in the first game on Friday. On the mound, Tanner Boccabello delivered a complete game for Bethune-Cookman, allowing eight hits and striking out eight batters over seven innings. With this performance, he improved his season record to 4-0.
Texas Southern University
Kewan Braziel (W, 1-0) pitched 6.0 innings, allowing 7 hits and 3 runs, all earned, while recording 8 strikeouts in TSU’s 12-3 victory over Mississippi Valley State.
Bryce Hughes had a fantastic weekend, going 9-for-15 with a .600 batting average, 7 runs batted in, 9 stolen bases, and 12 runs scored.
Calvin McClendon pitched a complete-game shutout over 7 innings, allowing 4 hits, striking out 4 batters, and issuing no walks in TSU’s 13-0 victory.
Delaware State University
The Delaware State baseball team started the weekend by defeating Mercyhurst 8-4. Michael Lane allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, with 3 earned runs, and he struck out 7 batters in 6.0 innings of work.
Benedict College
Benedict won 8-2 against Savannah State on Saturday. Brailin Duran (W, 2-0) pitched a complete game, allowing 7 hits, 2 runs (1 earned), and striking out 5 batters.
Lane College
Lane 12-9 win over Clark Atlanta Saturday. Saul Gonzalez batted 4-for-5, scored 3 runs, hit 2 home runs, with 5 runs batted in.
Wiley University
Smauri Abram had a 2-for-3 day at the plate, scoring 4 runs, belting 2 home runs, and driving in 4 runs to help the No. 6 ranked Wiley Wildcats achieve a 16-6 victory over No. 1 Talladega.
Ivan Del Villar stays hot this weekend going 6-12 (.500) with four runs, four RBI, two doubles and a homerun.
Talladega College
In a weekend batter of the leaders in the HBCUAC, Talladega’s Miguel Oropeza, once again, showed up big time. In the three-game series with Wiley University, Oropeza went 8-12 (.667) with nine rbi, four runs scored, a double and two home runs.
Dillard University
Kejuan Burnett allowed 4 hits, 1 runs, with just 1 earned runs, and he struck out 8 batters in 6.2 innings of work helping Dillard defeat Stillman 7-1 Sunday HBCUAC action.
Angel Polanco, in Dillard’s three-game series with Stillman went 6-10 (.600), with eight rbi, one double and three home runs.
Southern University of New Orleans
Contributing to SUNO’s weekend series win (2 games to 1) over Philander Smith, Damian Lantigua went 6-12 (.500) scoring six runs, with five rbi and a double and home run.
Miles Bowens, like Damian Lantigua, went 6-12 (.500) with four rbi and a home run, while scoring four runs.
Honorable Mention:
Morehouse College
The Maroon Tigers’ 19-hit attack resulted in an 18-5 victory over LeMoyne Owen College. Julian Goodman (W, 1-0) struck out 7 batters in 5.1 innings.