Black College Nines continues to recognize the baseball programs and players who stood out in mid-week and weekend action in our series… Who’s Hot In HBCU Baseball.
Harris Stowe State University
On the road visiting Park University, winning three of the four games, 1B Matt Janocik had a monster weekend. The 2020 HBCU Baseball Player of the Year has picked up right where he left off last season. During the four-game series he batted .588 scored with 2 runs, 3 doubles and 10 runs batted in.
Jackson State University
The pre-season No. 2 Tigers swept HBCU Baseball top ranked Alabama State to open SWAC conference play sweeping all three-games by one run in each of the games. Game one ended 8-7, game two was a 3-2 affair and the series finale ended up 4-3. In game two, Mario Lopez (1-0) threw all nine innings, allowed 9 hits, 2 runs (both earned), no walked batters and recording 10 strikeouts.
Virginia State University
The Trojans opened up its 2021 campaign hosting Lincoln University (PA) in a three-game tilt in non conference action. RHP Jeremiah Hardy, in his first start, recorded a 3-2 late inning come from behind victory. In 8.0 innings on the mound, Hardy gave up 6 hits, 2 runs, 1 earned, 1 walked batter and struck out 9 batters at the plate.
Southern University
No. 5 Southern swept SWAC conference foe and No. 6 Grambling State in thrilling fashion over the weekend taking a hard fought 9-8 opening series game one win. Then a nail biter 10-9 game two slugfest and the clinched the sweep with a 5-3 victory. In the game one win, Dimitri Frank (1-0), in relief, allowed no hits, no runs, no earned runs recorded six strikeouts in 4.0 innings on the hill.
North Carolina Central University
No. 8 ranked NCCU Eagles swept MEAC rivals Norfolk State over the weekend. Game one starter, RHP flame thrower Austin Vernon, in 4.0 innings of work gave up just 1 hit, 1 run, 1 earned run striking out 12 batters during the Eagles 10-8 win.
North Carolina Central University
No. 3 NCA&T defeated The Citadel two games to one in its three-game non conference series. Cameran Brantley in the series was 7-for-13, batted .538, belted a home run, drove home 4 runs including the game winning RBI single that gave the Aggies the 7-6 win in the first game. Brantley went 4-for-5 in that game.