Xavier University of Louisiana is seeded No. 1 in the Black College World Series, a four-day, six-team, double-elimination baseball tournament at Montgomery, Ala.
XULA (23-7), competing in this sport for the first time since 1960, will play third-seeded Bluefield State or sixth-seeded Edward Waters at 7:30 p.m. CDT Thursday at Riverwalk Stadium (200 Coosa St., zip 36104). Bluefield State and Edward Waters will meet in the opening game at noon Wednesday, with the winner playing XULA.
The BCWS is a mix of NAIA and NCAA Division II teams. Also competing are second-seeded Savannah State, fourth-seeded Rust and fifth-seeded Florida Memorial.
XULA’s offensive leaders include Jose Fulgencio with a .447 batting average, Tristan Rodriguez with five home runs, 26 walks and a .526 on-base percentage, Danny Coleman with 21 RBIs, Co Co Simoneaux with 23 stolen bases and Simoneaux and Antonio Rodriguez with 24 runs apiece.
Coleman will compete against seven others in the Gold Coast Logistics Home Run Derby at 5 p.m. Thursday.
Riverwalk Stadium is the home of the Montgomery Biscuits, the Tampa Bay Rays’ affiliate in the Double-A Southern League.