Black College Nines continues its season long series of Who’s Hot in Historically Black College and University (HBCU) baseball for week seven of our installments as we carry on another look at the players and pitchers who had an outstanding week and weekend series as the top players for their respective teams.
HBCU Large School Division
Alabama A&M University – The Bulldogs swept the three-game SWAC Eastern Division series against Alcorn State. It was A&M’s first road conference sweep since April 3-4, 2015, when the Bulldogs won three straight at Mississippi Valley State. AAMU pitchers dominated the series.
Pitcher – Brandon Marsonek (Senior LHP) He is second in the nation in strikeouts with 62 in the NCAA Division I, one behind JP Sears of The Citadel who has has 63. Marsonek leads the nation in pitching appearances with 20. Besides being the top relief pitcher in DI, he’s also tops in the SWAC conference.
Florida A&M University – The Rattlers, 15-9, for the week defeated the University of South Florida, whom at 22-3 is receiving votes in DI baseball top 25 poll.
Position Players – Ben Ellzey (Senior 3B) For the week, Ellzey had an .381 batting average, 1 runs, 8 hits, 1 double, 2 home runs and 8 runs batted helping FAMU defeat USF 3-2.
Pitcher – Ryan Anderson (Junior Pitcher) In 3-2 win defeating USF. Anderson 7.1 IP, allowed 4 hits, 2 runs, 0 earned runs match a career high in strikeouts with 6 Ks. At one point in the game, he retired 9 straight batters.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore – Lost seven straight games but one player continues to perform well.
Position Player – Jamison Trower (Junior 1B) Had four multi-hit games this week, scored three times, hitting three doubles with 1 run batted in. Involved in 57 fielding putouts and an assist without an error.
HBCU Baseball – Both Bethune Cookman and Florida A&M baseball programs receiving the highest top ranking amongst NCAA Rating Percentage Index (RPI) for NCAA Division I large school HBCU baseball programs. The RPI record includes ranking verses top 1-50 DI programs and games against DI opponents only which includes top strength of schedule against DI schools only. Streaks include games against all DI opponents. Florida A&M RPI rank (20) and Bethune Cookmen (26) is the highest HBCU ranking for all Division I teams. A first in the history of HBCU baseball. Both are continuing to receive votes in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Top 30 NCAA Division Poll for this week, March 27 poll date.
HBCU Small School Division
Voorhees College – Split its four-game series with Concordia-Selma but several players played well on the diamond this past weekend.
Position Player – Darrius England (Freshman infielder) has gone 11/18, 3 doubles, a stolen base, and 8 RBI’s. He is currently batting .500 (22/44).
Position Player – Jarious Whiten (Senior outfielder) In his last four ball games has gone 8 hits in 17 at bats with 5 runs batted in.