Black College Nines (BCN) continues its 2018 season long coverage of Who’s Hot In HBCU Baseball. BCN brings the hottest players up to bat, the shut down pitchers and defensive web gems drawing attention to the student athlete’s individual play and team efforts.
Who’s Hot In HBCU Baseball:
St. Augustine’s University – Impressive stats at the start of the season
In the first game of a doubleheader against Benedict College, Marquis Johnson, posted 6.0 innings pitched, gave up four hits, four runs, two earned runs with eight strikeouts. Johnson has allowed two earned runs in 16 innings including 0 runs in his first 10 innings pitched prior to throwing in opposition to Benedict.
North Carolina Central University – Offensive and Defensive star
Corey Joyce was remarkable at the plate and in the field. Opening the season this past weekend, Joyce .400 batting average, hit two home runs, three doubles to drove in seven RBIs. He was 6 for 15 over the weekend stole two bases. As the second basemen he made six putouts with six assists, including a game-ending double play to clinch the series in game three against Wagner.
Tougaloo College – Collects win in relief
Ligee Mims,. Jr. helped the Bulldogs defeat Blue Mountain College 5-4 allowing three hits, four runs, three earned runs, 1 strikeout while facing 20 batters. Mims pitches induced infield ground outs. After giving up 4 runs including a three-run homerun in the third-inning. Mims did not allow any hits or runners to reach base.
Alabama A&M University – Won the series 2-1 verses Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne
JT, O’Reel, in the three-game series against Fort Wayne. O’Reel .538 batting average, 13 at bats, scored three runs, collected seven hits, 1 double, 2 runs batted in, .615 slugging percentage, and a .571 on base percentage helping AAMU win the series.
Virginia State Trojan Trio… Aaron Harris, Justin Nase, Jahleel Sewer.
This trio has led the Trojans to an early season record of 6-1-1 to start the 2018 baseball season. Both Harris and Nase have collected hits in all eight games. Sophomore Aaron Harris leads the team in hitting with a batting average of .625, followed by freshman Justin Nase at .538 and junior Jahleel Sewer at .435. Between the three, they have 14 of Virginia State’s 21 extra base hits.