Former Black College Nines 2024 All-Elite Freshman of the Year, Prairie View A&M’s Michael Smith, now of the University of Dayton was selected on Sunday, May 12th in the 13th round of the 2026 Major League Draft by the San Diego Padres.

The 395th pick overall, Smith has until July 27 at 4 p.m. CT to sign with the Padres or return to Dayton for his senior season.

Michael Smith played his first two years at Prairie View A&M University before transferring to the University of Dayton for the recent 2025-2026 school year.

His stat line for his three years is as follows…

NEW ORLEANS [July 6, 2026] — Southern University at New Orleans graduate infielder Donovan Hill has made history, becoming the first player from an NAIA institution ever selected to compete in the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball. The fourth annual showcase is set for Friday, July 10, at 7 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, as part of MLB All-Star Week.

Hill’s selection marks a milestone for both SUNO and small-college HBCU baseball nationwide. The Swingman Classic featured exclusively NCAA Division I players in its first two years before expanding to include its first Division II selection in 2025. With Hill’s addition to the 2026 roster,SUNO becomes the first NAIA institution represented in the event’s history — a testament to the growing national profile of the Knights and the HBCU Athletic Conference.

Donovan Hill (Photo: Elbred Malone)

Hill, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native who joined the Knights from St. Thomas University, is one of just 50 players nationwide chosen for the event, which brings together the top talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. Players were selected by a committee that includes Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., Major League Baseball representatives, and professional scouts and evaluators.

The historic selection caps a landmark season for Hill and the Knights, who posted the best record in program history and their best HBCU Athletic Conference regular-season finish in 2026, one year after a runner-up showing at the conference championship. A steady presence in the SUNO infield and lineup all spring, Hill delivered in the moments that mattered — igniting the Knights’ seven-run, ninth-inning comeback against Xavier with a leadoff walk and driving in runs throughout SUNO’s late-season surge, including a run-scoring triple in the series-clinching win over Philander Smith.

“Donovan represents everything we ask of our student-athletes — he competes, he leads, and he carries himself the right way on and off the field,” said SUNO Head Coach Olen Parker, Jr. “To see him become the first NAIA player ever to take that field for the HBCU Swingman Classic is bigger than one game. It tells every player at our level that if you put in the work, the stage will find you.”

“This is a historic moment for SUNO, the HBCU Athletic Conference and for NAIA baseball,” said SUNO Director of Athletics James A. Matthews, III. “Donovan’s selection proves that elite talent lives at every level of HBCU athletics. The Swingman Classic celebrates the rich legacy of HBCU baseball, and we could not be prouder that a Knight is the one carrying NAIA baseball onto that stage for the first time.”

ABOUT THE HBCU SWINGMAN CLASSIC

The Swingman Classic roster will be divided into two squads: a National League team led by 2007 NL MVP and Phillies Wall of Famer Jimmy Rollins, and an American League team led by HBCU legend and 14-year MLB veteran Rickie Weeks. Honorary VIPs for the event include HBCU baseball greats Andre Dawson (Florida A&M) and Ralph Garr Sr. (Grambling State), along with 19-year big-league veteran Ken Griffey Sr.

For the fourth consecutive year, MLB Network will exclusively broadcast the game, with Dave Sims on play-by-play and Harold Reynolds providing analysis. Ken Griffey Jr. and Emily Haydel, granddaughter of Hank Aaron, will also contribute to the broadcast. Pregame festivities honoring HBCU culture will feature an in-ballpark DJ, an in-game “Divine Nine” recognition, and more.

SUNO is one of 19 HBCUs represented on the 2026 roster — and the only NAIA institution — joining programs such as Southern University, Grambling State, Jackson State, Florida A&M, and Prairie View A&M. Tickets for the HBCU Swingman Classic presented by USA Baseball are on sale now at AllStarGame.com.

ABOUT SUNO ATHLETICS

The Southern University at New Orleans Knights Department of Athletics emphasizes competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. For the full 2025–26 schedule, rosters, and ticket information, visit sunoathletics.com and follow @sunoathletics on social media.

Source: SUNO Athletics Communications

POWERED BY THE NATIONAL SCOUTING BUREAU

Thirty-seven ballplayers from 11 different Historically Black College and Universities make up Black College Nines’ 2026 Large School Elites representing institutions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I.

Additional recognition is given to our Player, Pitcher, Freshman, Coach and SID of the Year.

Selections were made based upon statistical information and research provided by Black College Nines, analytics* provided by A. Rod White of  the National Scouting Bureau and input from coaching staffs and their sports information departments.

Among the individual honorees, Edwin Sanchez of Bethune-Cookman University, for the second consecutive year, has been named the Elites’ Pitcher of the Year while Wildcat teammate Jose Fernandez has been named Player of the Year.

Miguel Oropeza, of Alabama State University, was named a large school first-team All-Elite after being the small school Player of the Year in both 2025 and 2024 and Freshman of the Year in 2022 when he was a student-athlete at Talladega College.  First-teamer Justin Journette, the 2024 Player of the Year, made this third straight appearance as an All-Elite while 2024 Pitcher of the Year, Caleb Granger was selected as a first-team starting pitcher in 2026. Camden Matthews, a small school All-Elite in 2024 and 2025 when he starred at Miles College, made a successful transition to NCAA Division I Alabama State and earned first-team All-Elite status.

Other previous years’ All-Elites named this year include Andrey Martinez of Bethune-Cookman University, K.J. White of Southern University, Jay Campbell of Florida A&M University, Kenney Fabian of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Cameron Hill of Grambling State University and Jorhan LaBoy of Alabama State University.

The 2026 HBCU National Baseball Player, Pitcher, Freshman, Coach and SID of the Year:

Fernandez

Sanchez

Grant

Hernandez

Vazquez

Jarome

Player of the Year – Jose Fernandez (Bethune-Cookman University)

Pitcher of the Year – Edwin Sanchez (Bethune-Cookman University)

Freshman of the Year – Aaron Grant (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)

Co-Coach of the Year – Jonathan Hernandez (Bethune-Cookman University)

Co-Coach of the Year – José Vazquez (Alabama State University)

Sports Information Director of the Year – Travis Jarome (Jackson State University)

Large School Division (NCAA Division I)

First Team

INF Jose Fernandez (Bethune-Cookman University)

INF KJ White Jr. (Southern University)

INF Jonathan Trejo (Texas Southern University)

INF Jay Campbell (Florida A&M University)

UTL Andrey Martinez (Bethune-Cookman University)

DH  Jackson McKenzie (Florida A&M University)

OF  Miguel Oropeza (Alabama State University)

OF  Justin Journette (Norfolk State University)

OF  Tyree Reed (Jackson State University)

 C  Jonathan Gonzalez-Perez (Univ of Maryland Eastern Shore)

SP  Edwin Sanchez (Bethune-Cookman University)

SP  Caleb Granger (Florida A&M University)

SP  Jorhan LaBoy (Alabama State University)

SP  Kenney Fabian (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)

SP  Justin Mayes (Texas Southern University)

RP  Camden Matthews (Alabama State University)

Second Team

INF Jaylon Lucky (Southern University)

INF Aaron Grant (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)

INF Erick Almonte (Bethune-Cookman University)

INF Ryland Duson (Prairie View A&M University)

INF Charles Ashe III (Grambling State University)

UTL Thomas Ealey (Norfolk State University)

UTL Pierre Cabral (Jackson State University)

DH  Byron Robinson (Texas Southern University)

OF  Michael Rodriguez (Bethune-Cookman University)

OF  Niguel Jenkins (Alabama State University)

OF  Cameron Hill (Grambling State University)

OF  Darryl Lee (Bethune-Cookman University)

OF  Jacoby Radcliffe (Southern University)

 C  Maikol Lucena (Bethune-Cookman University)

 C  Trey Callaway (Alabama State University)

SP  Ethan Blakeney (Norfolk State University)

SP  Jayden Lopez (Jackson State University)

SP  Talmadge Davis (Jackson State University)

SP  Bobby Spencer (Southern University)

RP  Cody Williams (Florida A&M University)

RP  Pablo Torres (Bethune-Cookman University)

*Analytic methodology includes, but not limited to, a weighted ranking system with six different metrics for position players, five different metrics for starting pitchers and another set of five metrics for relief pitchers with team and conference strength multipliers when necessary.

POWERED BY THE NATIONAL SCOUTING BUREAU

Fifty-three ballplayers from 21 different Historically Black College and Universities make up Black College Nines’ 2026 Small School Elites representing institutions within the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, National Christian College Athletic Association and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

Additional recognition is given to our Player, Pitcher, Freshman, Coach and SID of the Year.

Selections were made based upon statistical information and research provided by Black College Nines, analytics* provided by A. Rod White of the National Scouting Bureau and input from coaching staffs and their sports information departments.

Of the 53 honored, both Edward Waters University and Albany State University were represented by seven each, followed by Talladega College with six and both Wilberforce University and Wiley University with four each. Savannah State University and Benedict College each garnered three spots on the three Elite teams.

Among the individual honorees, Diego Duque of Talladega College has been named small school Pitcher of the Year and moves up from being named a second-team All-Elite in 2025 to first team in 2026. Marcos Dominguez of Talladega College and Reginald Johnson of Edward Waters University share the title of Coach of the Year.  Dominguez was awarded Coach of the Year last in 2025 and Johnson last claimed the title in 2016.  In his second year at Morehouse College, Ako (AD) Drew claims his first Sports Information Director of the Year honor.

Luke Addison of Albany State (also in 2024, and 2025), Armando Jackson of Talladega College (also in 2024, and 2025) and Jaden Greenidge of Lincoln (PA) University (also in 2023 and 2024) are all making their third appearances on All-Elite teams.

Other previous years’ All-Elites named this year include Johan Sandoval of Savannah State University, Christopher Alcantara-Diaz of Wilberforce University, Ivan Del Villar of Wiley University, Kyrent Cole of Rust College, Emory Stephens of Albany State University and Victor Rivera of Talladega College.

The 2026 HBCU National Baseball Player, Pitcher, Freshman, Coach and SID of the Year:

Donaldson-Fountain

Duque

Braswell

Veras-Vasquez

Dominguez

Johnson

Drew

Player of the Year – Daniel Donaldson-Fountain (Edward Waters University)

Pitcher of the Year – Diego Duque (Talladega College)

Co-Freshman of the Year – Tripp Braswell (Morehouse College)

Co-Freshman of the Year – Junior Veras-Vasquez (Wilberforce University)

Co-Coach of the Year – Marcos Dominguez (Talladega College)

Co-Coach of the Year – Reginald Johnson (Edward Waters University)

Sports Information Director of the Year – Ako Drew (Morehouse College)

Small School Division (NCAA Division II, NAIA, NCCAA, USCAA)

First Team

INF Ty Grover (Albany State University)

INF Johan Sandoval (Savannah State University)

INF Dannon Smith (Edward Waters University)

INF Elijah Pinckney (Morehouse College)

INF Luke Addison (Albany State University)

UTL Jordan Smith (Edward Waters University)

DH  Robert Robinson Jr. (Morehouse College)

OF  Daniel Donaldson-Fountain (Edward Waters University)

OF  Ryan Campbell (Kentucky State University)

OF  Christopher Alcantara-Diaz (Wilberforce University)

 C  Armando Jackson (Talladega College)

SP  Diego Duque (Talladega College)

SP  Samuel Crew (Albany State University)

SP  Weston Bailey (Huston-Tillotson University)

SP  Tyler Pfirrmann (Edward Waters University)

RP  Ty Mitzel (Edward Waters University)

Second Team

INF Ivan Del Villar (Wiley University)

INF Jaylon Johnson (Clark Atlanta University)

INF Joe Mendy (Wilberforce University)

INF Kyrent Cole (Rust College)

INF Emory Stephens (Albany State University)

INF Robert Gage (Stillman University)

UTL Jaden Greenidge (Lincoln University of Pennsylvania)

DH  Cameron Haley (Benedict College)

OF  Arin Chevers (Albany State University)

OF  Joshua Catala Santos (Talladega College)

OF  Jaquez Akins (Benedict College)

 C  Tyler Turner (Albany State University)

SP  Jamal Johnson (Florida Memorial University)

SP  Christopher Nunez (Southern University at New Orleans)

SP  Ethan Walker (Huston-Tillotson University)

SP  Austin McCormack (Savannah State University)

RP  Juan Pena (Wiley University)

Third Team

INF Joshua Medina (Benedict College)

INF Teagan Davies (Lane College)

INF Edwin Hernandez (Bluefield State University)

INF Ryan Morrow (Tuskegee University)

INF Victor Rivera (Talladega College)

INF Junior Veras-Vasquez (Wilberforce University)

UTL Bobby Torres (Edward Waters University)

DH  Narrada Smith (LeMoyne-Owen College)

OF  Don McKnight III (Florida Memorial University)

OF  Cohen Boyd (Xavier University of Louisiana)

OF  Darius Woodson (Wilberforce University)

OF  Andrew Leonard (Clark Atlanta University)

 C  Joseph Di Cesare (Edward Waters University)

SP  Estevan Baca (Wiley University)

SP  Luis Perdomo (Talladega College)

SP  Gregorio Gonzalez (Savannah State University)

SP  Nick Rodriguez (Wiley University)

RP  Dewinel Vazquez (Talladega College)

RP  Dereck Foster (Albany State University)

*Analytic methodology includes, but not limited to, a weighted ranking system with six different metrics for position players, five different metrics for starting pitchers and another set of five metrics for relief pitchers with team and conference strength multipliers when necessary.

In these days of football coaches demanding $10 million-plus annually in compensation and men’s college basketball squads with $12-15 million payrolls, he was a nice-guy anomaly.

Roger Cador, who passed away here June 30 at the age of 74 after battling cancer and multiple health issues for a number of years, left his mark on thousands of student-athletes and millions of college and professional baseball fans and administrators nationally.

When he arrived as head coach at Southern University prior to the 1985 season (after playing basketball and baseball at SU in the 1970s and serving as assistant basketball coach at his alma mater from 1978-84), the baseball team had no uniforms, the playing field was in disrepair, and Coach Cador was told to call on local merchants and alumni to equip the squad and to help with field maintenance.

Some 33 seasons later, 14 Southwestern Athletic Conference titles, 22 SWAC West Division crowns, 13 SWAC Coach of the Year kudos, two HBCU Division I national championships, and he most victories by any HBCU head coach in any sport at 913-597-1 (.604 winning percentage), he called it a career at the end of the 2017 campaign and retirement.

Retirement? Coach Cador did not know the meaning of the word. He continued to speak every time Southern administrators asked him, he raised additional funds for his diamond successors, he joined fellow College Baseball Hall of Fame head coach Skip Bertman of LSU as chairs of the Baton Rouge Boy Scouts charity drives, fried turkeys at Thanksgiving for underserved families, and created goodwill throughout South Louisiana.

He also worked with Major League Baseball and the RBI program – Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities – to put on clinics both in the U.S., South and Central America and remained “on call” when former players, current coaches or even fellow Louisianans contacted him for words of wisdom and advice both about baseball and life.

In his later years he collaborated with the late HBCU baseball enthusiast Michael Coker to organize the Black College Baseball World Series in Montgomery, Ala., to assist universities and student-athletes in NCAA Division II and NAIA ranks for additional recognition and rewards for their hard-earned efforts through Black College Nines, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and related groups from 2021-24 in historic Montgomery, Ala.

These often-overlooked tasks were recognized by such groups as the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the CBF, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Southwestern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, and similar national groups as Coach Cador received numerous national honors following his on-field exploits.

His massive list of achievements also included two historic NCAA Regional baseball triumphs over Cal State Fullerton in the 1987 NCAA tourney when CSUF was ranked No. 2 nationally at one juncture, the first HBCU program NCAA play-in victory over Austin Peay in 1996 and 11 total NCAA appearances after the Jaguars had played in the NAIA ranks for their first 34 seasons of intercollegiate activity.

His coaching expertise led to the naming of All-America infielder Rickie Weeks from the 2003 Jaguars as the first HBCU star to win Division I Player of the Year honors – the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. Weeks, who later played for 15 seasons in the majors from 2003-17, batted .479 to lead NCAA Division I and still holds the NCAA career record for batting average at .465. There were 62 of Southern’s 96 all-time MLB players drafted who were coached by the native of Cross Roads, La.

Coach Cador earlier starred as collegiate basketball-baseball performer from 1970-73 (batting .393 to lead the Jaguars in ’72) before signing with the Atlanta Braves organization in ’73. While playing for the Class AA Southern League Savannah squad in 1975, he launched a 410-foot homer off the legendary Mark Fidrych of the league’s Montgomery Rebels and had some fun times of remembrance when he passed by the old minor league park in the Alabama capital.

Coach Cador almost accomplished his lifelong dream of playing in the majors in 1977 when he was promoted to the Braves AAA squad in Richmond, Va., but just missed a callup to join the likes of Atlanta’s

Jeff Burroughs, Willie Montanez, Gary Matthews, Phil Niekro, and Dick Ruthven, among others.

But his true calling in life was one of encouragement, self-discipline, overcoming even the most serious obstacles, and finding solutions to virtually every college baseball situation – and this with a beaming smile and booming voice.

On a personal note, this writer was privileged to meet Coach Cador for the first time in 2003 during Dick Howser Trophy festivities in Omaha, and an instant friendship followed.

Coach Cador always ended our frequent conversations with “Bo knows Bo” from the old Bo Jackson Nike commercials, and his favorite line from those was “Bo (Jackson), you don’t know Diddley” when famed guitarist Bo Diddley appeared with the Auburn two-sport star.

There never will be another coach or human like Roger Cador: the Good Lord definitely broke that mold.

Bo Carter is the Executive Director of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and is a long time professional in sports media and information. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and has plied his trade in the Southeastern Conference, the Southwest Conference, and the Big 12 Conference. He was named to the College Sports Information Directors Hall of Fame in July 2005. In addition to his NCBWA duties, he is a senior consultant to Black College Championships LLC, which runs the Black College World Series and a contributor to Black College Nines.

The newest class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame was announced today in conjunction with the College Baseball World Series championship round and it includes two former Historically Black College and University (HBCU) greats, Dave Clark and Marquis Grissom.

In 2011, the College Baseball Foundation created the Black College Legends and Pioneers Committee to recognize those who played baseball at HBCUs and others who were instrumental in integrating their college baseball programs or had a lasting impact at their schools.

Myself, Ruffin Bell (founder of the now retired blackcollegebaseball.com website) and Dr. John Winters (professor, researcher and integrating umpire of the old Southwest Conference) were tasked with identifying individuals who qualified for recognition who might not otherwise be recognized by the College Baseball Hall of Fame voting community. Historically, HBCU baseball had little national exposure… even to the most enthusiastic college baseball followers.

The committee has grown beyond the initial three and this year, Dave Clark from Jackson State University and Marquis Grissom from Florida A&M have been selected for induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame which will be held at its home in Overland Park, Kansas on February 11, 2027.

Dave Clark…

The 1982 edition of Jackson State baseball completed the regular season with a 34-18 record and with the SWAC now receiving an automatic post- season bid, became the first HBCU baseball program to participate in an NCAA Division I regional tournament. The Tigers were led that year by sophomore David Clark who topped the regulars hitting .363. After the 1982 season, Clark was selected a Sporting News All- American.

Clark returned to Jackson State in 1983 and hit an even higher .378 and added 13 home runs. After the season, Clark was a first-round MLB draft pick of the Cleveland Indians. His 13 years in the Major Leagues as an outfielder preceded a career as a minor league manager, major league coach and for a short stint, the interim manager of the Houston Astros in 2009.

Year  G  AB  R  H  AVG 2B 3B HR SB
1981 66 179 36 67 .374  9  9  1 65
1982 27  86 32 35 .407  2  3  1 42

For an interview we did with Dave Clark in 2020, please go here.

Marquis Grissom…

In 1987 and 1988, Florida A&M Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship squads were led by outfielder/pitcher Marquis Grissom. As a freshman in 1987, Grissom hit .393 with eight home runs. The next season, he followed up hitting a team-leading .448, with 10 doubles, 10 triples and 12 home runs. On the mound, Marquis Grissom threw 12 complete games with a 9-3 record and a 2.40 earned run average. In 86 innings pitched, Grissom struck out 93 batters. In 1988, his 10 triples tied for most in the country, his .448 average ranked sixth nationally, he finished with the 18th best earned average among all NCAA Division I pitchers and tied for the seventh-greatest number of complete games.

Drafted as an outfielder/pitcher in the third round of the 1988 MLB draft (76th player drafted overall) by the Montreal Expos, Marquis Grissom ended up being groomed solely as a position player. Grissom played 17 seasons in the Major Leagues with six different teams, twice was a National League All-Star, won four Gold Gloves for excelling defensively in the outfield, and in both 1991 and 1992 led the National League in stolen bases.

Hitting

Year  G  AB  R  H  AVG 2B 3B HR RBI

1987 31 117 25 35 .393  5  4  5  32

1988 39 143 63 64 .448 10 10 12  48

Pitching

Year  G GS CG W L  IP   H SO  ERA

1988 12 12 12 9 3 86.0 94 93 2.41

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — The Minority Prospects HBCU Baseball All-Star Game brought more than a showcase to Atrium Health Ballpark. It brought a full day of service, skill, speed, power and HBCU baseball excellence to Kannapolis.

Before the first pitch, MBP Helping Hands opened the day by conducting a baseball clinic for local youth, giving young players in the Kannapolis area a chance to learn the game, interact with college standouts and experience baseball inside one of the premier minor league venues in the region. That community-centered start set the tone for an event built around exposure, development and celebration.

The competitive portion of the day began with the showcase events. KJ Davis of Alcorn State captured the fastest man contest, adding another highlight to a day filled with athleticism. The Home Run Derby followed with finalists representing multiple levels of college baseball: Cameron Laffitte of Bishop State (AL), Robert Robinson Jr. of Morehouse and Jackson Williams of Alabama State advanced as the final three, giving the event a junior college, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division I presence in the power competition.

Then came the main event.

Team Wilbert Ellis jumped ahead early and later held off a determined Team Larry Watkins rally to earn a 9-6 victory in the 2026 MBP HBCU Baseball All-Star Game.

The winning side struck first in the bottom of the opening inning. Kelley White Jr. of Southern reached base, stole second and came around to score when Miguel Oropeza of Alabama State delivered an RBI double. Robinson, representing Morehouse, followed with a single, and Niguel Jenkins of Alabama State reached on an error that brought in another run. Emory Stephens of Albany State added an RBI single later in the inning, giving Team Wilbert Ellis a 3-0 lead after one.

Morehouse standout Elijah Pinckney extended the advantage in the second, launching a solo home run to make it 4-0. But Team Larry Watkins answered in the third, showing the depth of offensive talent on its roster.

Jaden Greenridge of Lincoln (Pa.) and Jordan Treadwell of Coppin State helped spark the rally with base hits. Kameron Byrd of Southern drove in a run with a single, Treadwell later stole home, and Trey Bridges of Grambling State added an RBI single to trim the deficit to 4-3.

Team Wilbert Ellis responded immediately. Tyvon Moore of Prairie View A&M worked a walk in the bottom of the third, and Devin Chandler of Alabama State followed with a two-run home run, pushing the lead back to 6-3.

The back-and-forth continued in the fifth. Team Larry Watkins tied the game behind a productive inning that included a single from Jackson Williams of Alabama State, a hit-by-pitch by Jaquez Akins of Benedict, an RBI single from Johan Sandoval of Savannah State and a two-run single from Greenridge. Just like that, the game was even at 6-6.

The decisive swing came two innings later, and it belonged to the eventual Most Valuable Player.

In the bottom of the seventh, Chandler drew a walk and White was hit by a pitch. Ryan Hunter of Southern then singled to bring Chandler home with the go-ahead run. Oropeza followed with his second double of the night, scoring White and Hunter and giving Team Wilbert Ellis a 9-6 lead it would not relinquish.

Oropeza, representing Alabama State, was named the game’s MVP after going 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. His run-scoring double in the first opened the scoring, and his two-run double in the seventh provided the separation Team Wilbert Ellis needed to close the night.

Chandler, also of Alabama State, added a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Pinckney of Morehouse homered, Stephens of Albany State collected two hits and an RBI, and Hunter of Southern drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Team Larry Watkins finished with 13 hits and continued to apply pressure throughout the game. Greenridge of Lincoln (Pa.) helped lead the comeback effort, while Byrd of Southern, Bridges of Grambling State and Sandoval of Savannah State each produced key run-scoring moments.

Team Larry Watkins made one final push in the ninth, getting singles from Akins of Benedict and Sandoval of Savannah State, but Team Wilbert Ellis held firm. Camden Matthews of Alabama State recorded the final out with a strikeout, sealing the 9-6 win.

From the youth clinic to the speed contest, from the Home Run Derby to Oropeza’s MVP performance, the day reflected the purpose of the Minority Prospects platform: creating opportunities, elevating HBCU baseball talent and giving players from across the country a stage worthy of their ability.

KANSAS CITY, MO – Wilberforce University sophomore Christopher Alcantara-Diaz continues to make WU Baseball History.  

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — One of the premier postseason showcases in Black college baseball returns to North Carolina this weekend as the sixth annual Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game brings together many of the top players from HBCU programs across NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NAIA, and junior college baseball.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis, North Carolina, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., TICKETS

The 2026 event continues the growth of the Minority Baseball Prospects platform, which has developed into a national showcase built around baseball, exposure, culture, and community. The weekend is part of a broader HBCU All-Star Games tour that also includes softball, youth development, and fan-centered programming.

A Professional Stage in Kannapolis

Atrium Health Ballpark provides the all-star game with a professional-baseball setting. The downtown Kannapolis venue is the home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers and has become a strong fit for the MBP event because of its fan amenities, intimate sightlines, and ability to host a full weekend experience around the game.

For the players, the setting matters. The MBP HBCU All-Star Game is not simply an exhibition; it is a showcase opportunity in front of scouts, evaluators, media, and fans who follow Black college baseball closely.

Team Names Honor HBCU Baseball Builders

This year’s teams will compete as Team Larry Watkins and Team Wilbert Ellis, names that connect the current generation of HBCU standouts with two of the sport’s respected builders.

Larry Watkins is synonymous with Alabama State baseball. A former Hornet player and longtime coach, Watkins spent decades connected to the program and became Alabama State’s all-time winningest baseball coach. Known during his playing days as the “Toy Cannon,” Watkins helped build a program identity around speed, competitiveness, and postseason relevance. His name is a fitting one for an all-star team loaded with athleticism and offensive pressure.

Wilbert Ellis is one of the towering figures in HBCU baseball history. The longtime Grambling State coach and administrator won more than 700 games, helped lead Grambling to SWAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, and became one of the sport’s most respected ambassadors. Ellis’ career extended beyond the dugout, as he became a national voice for baseball, youth development, and HBCU athletics.

Together, the team names give the game a deeper meaning: the MBP HBCU All-Star Game is about showcasing today’s players while honoring those who helped create the platform.

Rosters

Team Larry Watkins

Team Wilbert Ellis

Storylines to Watch

Alabama State and Talladega carry Black College Nines championship distinction into the showcase. Alabama State finished atop the final Black College Nines large-school poll, while Talladega claimed the small-school crown. Both programs are represented in Kannapolis, giving the game a national HBCU championship flavor.

Edward Waters brings a championship core. Daniel Donaldson-Fountain, Bobby Torres, Tyler Pfirrmann, and Joseph Di Cesare give the game several pieces from an Edward Waters team that captured the SIAC Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II South Regional.

Morehouse brings two of the best stories in the field. Robert Robinson Jr. enters as one of the most decorated hitters in the SIAC after earning multiple all-region honors. Elijah Pinckney brings one of the strongest career résumés in the game, including all-conference, academic, community, and national showcase recognition. His No. 6 jersey was retired by Morehouse, making him only the second Maroon Tiger baseball player to receive that honor.

Southern’s speed and athleticism will be hard to miss. Kelcey White Jr., the SWAC Hitter of the Year, headlines the Southern group, while Ryan Hunter, Jaylon Lucky, Kameron Byrd, Caleb Ellis, and Beny Bikar Jr. add more experience from one of the SWAC’s most athletic programs.

The pitching matchups could define the game. Team Wilbert Ellis has a strong late-game feel with Camden Matthews, James Peterson, Tyler Pfirrmann, and Lefrederick Wooten. Team Larry Watkins counters with strikeout arms such as Talmadge Davis, Bobby Spencer, Chris Nunez, Darryl Johnson II, Jaelyn Rhynes, and others.

Ticket and Weekend Information

Tickets for the 6th Annual Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game are available through the Minority Prospects events page and Ticket Return. The baseball all-star game is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 6 p.m. at Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

The game is part of a full weekend of HBCU baseball and softball events in the Charlotte and Kannapolis area. The weekend also includes a free youth baseball and softball instructional clinic at Atrium Health Ballpark and the Minority Softball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game, scheduled for Friday, June 5, at Stick Williams Dream Fields in Charlotte at 7:15 p.m. Both All-Star games will be preceded with a Home Run Derby.

For fans of Black college baseball, the weekend offers more than an all-star game. It is a celebration of HBCU talent, history, player development, and the continued growth of the game.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama State’s NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional run ended Saturday afternoon in one of the toughest ways possible: with the Hornets fighting all the way back, forcing extra innings and putting the tying run in scoring position before falling 8-7 to Oklahoma State in 11 innings at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. ASU trailed by six runs midway through the game, but instead of folding, the SWAC champions answered with the same formula that carried them through the postseason — timely power, competitive at-bats and late-inning resilience.

The Hornets outhit Oklahoma State 11-5 and scored seven runs after being shut out through the first five innings, tying the game in both the eighth and 10th innings. Niguel Jenkins and Cale Clark supplied the biggest swings with home runs, continuing a tournament trend in which Alabama State relied heavily on the long ball for most of its RBI production. But Oklahoma State survived behind two decisive home runs of its own — Colin Brueggemann’s fourth-inning grand slam and Kollin Ritchie’s go-ahead solo shot in the 11th — to eliminate Alabama State from the NCAA Tournament.

Scoring Summary

Top 4th — Oklahoma State 4, Alabama State 0
Oklahoma State broke through first after Brock Thompson doubled, Kollin Ritchie walked and Campbell Smithwick was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Colin Brueggemann followed with the biggest swing of the early innings, launching a grand slam to center field to put the Cowboys ahead 4-0.

Top 6th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 0
The Cowboys added two unearned runs without recording a hit in the inning. Brueggemann and Garrett Shull reached, and Remo Indomenico reached on a left-field error that allowed both runners to score, extending the lead to 6-0.

Bottom 6th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 2
Alabama State finally broke through with the long ball. Miguel Oropeza singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Niguel Jenkins homered to right center, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

Bottom 7th — Oklahoma State 6, Alabama State 3
The Hornets kept chipping away. Quentin Jenkins singled, Fabian Santana walked and Devin Chandler moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt. Breydon Divine then lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Quentin Jenkins to make it 6-3.

Bottom 8th — Alabama State ties it, 6-6
Alabama State’s best inning came in the eighth. Niguel Jenkins doubled to left field and scored on a Jackson Williams RBI single. Cale Clark then delivered the swing that brought the Hornets all the way back, blasting a two-run home run to left field to tie the game at 6-6.

Top 10th — Oklahoma State 7, Alabama State 6
Oklahoma State regained the lead in extras. Brueggemann doubled and Brady Francisco came in to run. After two walks loaded the bases, Alex Conover drew another walk to force in Francisco and give the Cowboys a 7-6 lead.

Bottom 10th — Alabama State ties it, 7-7
The Hornets answered again. Niguel Jenkins singled, Aden Malpass came in to run and advanced to second on a wild pitch. After an intentional walk to Clark and a walk to Quentin Jenkins loaded the bases, Santana drew a bases-loaded walk to score Malpass and tie the game.

Top 11th — Oklahoma State 8, Alabama State 7
Ritchie opened the 11th with a solo home run to left field, putting Oklahoma State back in front 8-7.

Bottom 11th — Alabama State threatens but falls short
Alabama State put pressure on Oklahoma State one final time. Divine was hit by a pitch to open the inning, and Trey Callaway later singled to put the tying run in scoring position. The Hornets could not push the run across, and Oklahoma State escaped with the one-run win.

Alabama State Leaders

• Niguel Jenkins: 3-for-4, double, home run, two RBI, two runs scored and one walk.
• Cale Clark: 2-for-4, home run, two RBI, one run scored and one walk.
• Jackson Williams: 2-for-6 with one RBI and one run scored.
• Trey Callaway: 2-for-6.
• Miguel Oropeza: 1-for-5 with one walk and one run scored.
• Quentin Jenkins: 1-for-4 with one run scored and one walk.
• Fabian Santana: Walked twice and drove in the game-tying run in the 10th.
• James Peterson: Started and worked 5.2 innings, allowing six runs, four earned, on three hits with two strikeouts.
• Trey Power: Gave Alabama State 4.0 strong relief innings, allowing one run on one hit.
• Caleb Sanders: Took the loss after allowing one run in 1.1 innings, but also struck out two.

Team Comparison

• Hits: Alabama State outhit Oklahoma State 11-5.
• Errors: Oklahoma State 0, Alabama State 1.
• Home runs: Both teams hit two home runs.
• RBI: Oklahoma State had six RBI; Alabama State had seven.
• Walks: Oklahoma State drew 10 walks; Alabama State drew six.
• Strikeouts at the plate: Alabama State struck out 12 times; Oklahoma State struck out five times.
• Left on base: Alabama State stranded 11 runners; Oklahoma State stranded 10.
• Stolen bases: Oklahoma State stole two bases; Alabama State did not record a steal.
• Pitching usage: Alabama State used three pitchers; Oklahoma State used four.
• Winning pitcher: Mario Pesca improved to 7-4 for Oklahoma State.
• Losing pitcher: Caleb Sanders fell to 0-3 for Alabama State.
• Game time/attendance: The game lasted 4:05 in front of 3,011 fans.

Wrap Up

Alabama State’s season ended in heartbreak, but not without one final statement. The Hornets trailed 6-0, outhit Oklahoma State 11-5 and forced extra innings against a Big 12 opponent in an NCAA elimination game. The difference came in the margins: Oklahoma State turned five hits into eight runs by combining power with 10 walks, three hit batters and one key Alabama State error.

The regional also showed how much Alabama State leaned on the long ball to produce runs. In Friday’s loss to Alabama, all three Hornet RBI came on home runs from Miguel Oropeza and Trey Callaway. Against Oklahoma State, four of ASU’s seven RBI came on homers from Niguel Jenkins and Cale Clark. In all, seven of Alabama State’s 10 RBI in the Tuscaloosa Regional came via home runs.

The Hornets finished the season 34-23 after winning the SWAC Tournament championship and representing the conference in the NCAA Tournament. Saturday’s loss closed the year, but Alabama State left Tuscaloosa showing the toughness that carried it through the postseason: power at the plate, resilience under pressure and the ability to make a national seed-caliber field sweat until the final out.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

Scoring Summary

Bottom 1st — Alabama 1, Alabama State 0
Bryce Fowler opened the Alabama offense with a triple to center field, and Justin Lebron followed with a sacrifice fly to score Fowler and give the Crimson Tide the early lead.

Bottom 2nd — Alabama 3, Alabama State 0
After John Lemm reached on an Alabama State error, Eric Hines replaced him on a fielder’s choice. Luke Vaughn then hit a two-run home run to left field, with both runs unearned, to extend Alabama’s lead to 3-0.

Top 3rd — Alabama 3, Alabama State 2
Alabama State answered with its biggest swing of the night. Breydon Divine drew a two-out walk, and Miguel Oropeza followed with a two-run home run to left center, pulling the Hornets within one run.

Bottom 4th — Alabama 9, Alabama State 2
The game shifted in the fourth. Brennan Holt reached on a bunt single and advanced on an error, then Vaughn singled him home. Fowler added an RBI single, Brady Neal doubled in Fowler, Neal scored on a wild pitch, and Hines delivered a two-run single to bring home Lemm and Jason Torres. Alabama scored six in the inning.

Bottom 5th — Alabama 12, Alabama State 2
Vaughn and Fowler reached ahead of Lebron, who hit a three-run home run to left field.

Top 6th — Alabama 12, Alabama State 3
Trey Callaway gave ASU its second home run of the game with a solo shot to left field.

Bottom 6th — Alabama 18, Alabama State 3
Alabama put together another six-run inning. Lemm walked, Hines was hit by a pitch, and Holt singled in Lemm. A wild pitch scored Hines, Peyton Steele’s groundout scored Holt, Fowler hit a two-run homer, and Neal followed with a solo home run down the right-field line.

Bottom 7th — Alabama 21, Alabama State 3
The Crimson Tide added three more runs. Andrew Purdy lifted a sacrifice fly to score Lemm, and Evan Taylor doubled down the left-field line to bring home JoJo Williamson and Justin Osterhouse.

Alabama State Leaders

• Miguel Oropeza: 2-for-3, home run, two RBI, one run scored and one hit-by-pitch.
• Trey Callaway: 2-for-4, solo home run, one RBI and one run scored.
• Breydon Divine: 1-for-2 with two walks and one run scored.
• Jackson Williams: 1-for-4.
• Caleb Sanders: Worked a scoreless eighth inning with two strikeouts.
• Jorhan LaBoy: Took the loss, allowing seven runs, five earned, on seven hits over 3.2 innings.

Team Comparison

• Hits: Alabama 15, Alabama State 6.
• Errors: Alabama State 4, Alabama 1.
• Home runs: Alabama 4, Alabama State 2.
• Extra-base hits: Alabama had seven extra-base hits, including four home runs, two doubles and one triple. Alabama State’s two extra-base hits were both home runs.
• Strikeouts: Alabama pitchers struck out 14 Hornets. Alabama State pitchers struck out seven Crimson Tide hitters.
• Walks issued: Alabama State issued eight walks, while Alabama issued two.
• Hit batters: Alabama State hit three batters. Alabama hit two.
• Left on base: Both teams left seven runners on base.
• Pitching totals: Alabama State used seven pitchers and threw 203 pitches. Alabama used four pitchers and threw 150 pitches.

Wrap Up

Alabama State’s offense had moments, especially with Oropeza and Callaway leaving the yard, but the Hornets could not survive the combination of free passes, defensive miscues and Alabama’s power surge. The Crimson Tide scored 18 of its 21 runs from the fourth through seventh innings, and Alabama State’s four errors helped extend opportunities for one of the most complete teams in the field.

The loss moves Alabama State into the elimination bracket, where the Hornets will need to regroup quickly. ASU has already proven it can win tournament baseball after sweeping through the SWAC Tournament, but the margin for error is now gone. The Hornets must win Saturday to keep their season alive.

Next Up: Alabama State vs. Oklahoma State

Alabama State will face Oklahoma State on Saturday, May 30, at 1 p.m. CT in an elimination game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

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Oklahoma State enters the matchup at 37-21 after dropping its opener to USC Upstate, 8-5. The Cowboys trailed 4-0 after the top of the second, tied the game in the bottom half on an Evan Saunders RBI single and Remo Indomenico three-run home run, but USC Upstate retook control and added two insurance runs in the eighth.

The Cowboys finished with nine hits, seven walks and 13 runners left on base against USC Upstate. Indomenico went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI, while Garrett Shull went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two walks. However, Oklahoma State also committed three errors, and its biggest bat, Kollin Ritchie, went 0-for-5.

Pitching usage will be a key storyline. Oklahoma State used only two pitchers Friday, but both carried heavy workloads. Ethan Lund threw 76 pitches in 2.2 innings, while Stormy Rhodes threw 89 pitches over 6.1 innings. Alabama State used seven pitchers against Alabama, so the Hornets will also have to manage availability carefully.

For Alabama State to extend its season, the formula is clear: throw strikes, clean up the defense and get traffic on the bases in front of Oropeza, Callaway and the middle of the order. Oklahoma State brings major power, but the Cowboys showed Friday that they can give opponents opportunities with walks, stranded runners and defensive mistakes. ASU must turn those openings into early runs and force Oklahoma State to play under elimination-game pressure.

Alabama State enters the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship carrying the kind of momentum that can make a four-seed dangerous.

The Hornets, fresh off a SWAC Tournament championship and an unbeaten run through Rickwood Field, head to Sewell-Thomas Stadium for the Tuscaloosa Regional as the No. 4 seed. Their reward is a Friday night matchup with No. 1 seed and host Alabama, a team that already owns two wins over ASU this season. On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 seed Oklahoma State faces No. 3 seed USC Upstate in a regional that features power, postseason experience and three teams capable of putting up runs in bunches.

The regional opens Friday with Oklahoma State against USC Upstate at 1 p.m., followed by Alabama State against Alabama at 6 p.m. The tournament is double elimination, with the winner advancing to the Super Regional round.

Regional Field

No. 1 Alabama — 37-19 overall, 18-12 SEC
No. 2 Oklahoma State — 37-20 overall, 18-12 Big 12
No. 3 USC Upstate — 33-28 overall, 13-11 Big South
No. 4 Alabama State — 34-21 overall, 20-10 SWAC

Alabama State Hornets

Alabama State comes in at 34-21 overall and riding an eight-game winning streak. The Hornets were 20-10 in SWAC play and a perfect 7-0 in neutral-site games, a number that matters because this group just proved it can win tournament baseball away from home. ASU closed the SWAC Tournament with wins over Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff twice and Florida A&M to earn the league’s automatic bid.

Strengths

Alabama State’s lineup is balanced enough to win in different ways. The Hornets hit .281 as a team with a .391 on-base percentage, 57 home runs and 337 RBI. The biggest piece is Miguel Oropeza, who gives ASU a legitimate middle-order presence with a .366 average, 19 doubles, 11 home runs, 65 RBI, a .620 slugging percentage and a .464 on-base percentage. He is the type of hitter who can change an NCAA Regional game with one swing or one big at-bat with runners on base.

Niguel Jenkins has been another major run producer, hitting .331 with 15 doubles, six home runs and a .494 on-base percentage. Fabian Santana gives the Hornets a high-contact bat at .322, while Breydon Divine has started every game and provides stability in the middle infield. Devin Chandler has been one of ASU’s best on-base threats with 50 walks, 13 hit-by-pitches, eight home runs and a .461 on-base percentage.

The Hornets also have several power threats. Jackson Williams has 12 home runs and 45 RBI, while Trey Callaway leads the club with 16 home runs and 46 RBI. That gives Alabama State enough pop to answer a big inning and enough lineup depth to pressure pitching staffs that do not command the strike zone.

On the mound, James Peterson has been the most dependable arm, carrying a 7-1 record, 3.32 ERA, 81.1 innings and four saves. Jorhan LaBoy has handled the largest starting workload with 16 starts, 85.2 innings and 65 strikeouts. Camden Matthews has been valuable with a 3.49 ERA and six saves, while Caio Araujo has held opponents to a .179 batting average in limited work.

Weaknesses

The concern for Alabama State is run prevention. The Hornets have a 6.05 team ERA, and opponents are hitting .301 against them. ASU has also issued 260 walks and hit 79 batters. Against SEC and Big 12 lineups, free baserunners can turn into crooked numbers quickly.

The Hornets have allowed only 33 home runs, the fewest among the four Tuscaloosa teams, but they have allowed opponents to apply steady pressure with hits, walks and stolen bases. Opponents have attempted 168 steals and converted 136 of them. That could matter against Alabama and USC Upstate, two teams that run well and force defensive execution.

Defensively, ASU has a .964 fielding percentage with 71 errors. In a regional setting, the Hornets will need to cut down extra outs and avoid extending innings against more powerful lineups.

Key Players to Watch

Miguel Oropeza is Alabama State’s most complete offensive threat and the bat opposing staffs will game-plan around. Trey Callaway and Jackson Williams bring home run power. Devin Chandler is critical because he gets on base at a high rate and can extend innings. James Peterson is the pitching piece ASU may need in multiple roles, whether as a starter, bridge arm or late-game finisher. Jorhan LaBoy gives ASU its most proven starting workload.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Alabama State played Alabama twice during the season and lost both games, 2-1 in Tuscaloosa on Feb. 18 and 13-4 in Montgomery on March 4. ASU did not play Oklahoma State or USC Upstate.

Against common opponents with Alabama — Auburn, South Alabama, Troy and UAB — ASU went 1-4, while Alabama went 5-3. Against common opponents with USC Upstate — Longwood, South Alabama and Valparaiso — ASU went 4-3, while USC Upstate went 4-6. Alabama State and Oklahoma State did not share a common opponent.

What It Takes for ASU

For Alabama State to win this regional, the Hornets have to make the games uncomfortable. That means getting runners on base ahead of Oropeza, Callaway and Williams, forcing opposing starters into high pitch counts, and keeping the score close enough for Peterson, Matthews and the best late-game arms to matter.

The formula is simple but demanding: limit free passes, protect the baseball defensively, steal a few momentum swings with two-out hits, and turn the regional into a pressure test. ASU does not need to outslug everyone for four straight games, but the Hornets cannot afford empty innings after leadoff baserunners or walks in front of the heart of opposing lineups.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is the host and top seed in Tuscaloosa with a 37-19 overall record and an 18-12 mark in the SEC. The Crimson Tide has already beaten Alabama State twice and enters with the deepest pitching staff in the regional.

Strengths

Alabama’s biggest advantage is run prevention. The Crimson Tide owns a 4.28 team ERA and has held opponents to a .246 batting average. That is the best pitching profile in this regional by a wide margin. Tyler Fay has been the staff workhorse, going 9-4 with a 4.70 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 90 innings. Zane Adams has 85 strikeouts in 76.1 innings, while Myles Upchurch is 8-3 with a 3.34 ERA and a .195 opponent batting average.

The bullpen gives Alabama several options. Hagan Banks has a 2.79 ERA and six saves. Matthew Heiberger has worked in 23 games with a 3.31 ERA. Ashton Crowther, Evan Steckmesser and others give the Crimson Tide matchup flexibility if games become bullpen contests.

Offensively, Alabama does not have the loudest team batting average in the regional, but it has several high-impact players. Brady Neal leads the regulars with a .328 average, 14 doubles, eight home runs, 43 RBI and a .440 on-base percentage. Bryce Fowler is hitting .316 with 17 doubles and 15 stolen bases. Justin Lebron is the lineup’s most dangerous speed-power threat with 14 home runs and 38 stolen bases in 39 attempts.

Alabama is also excellent on the bases, stealing 83 bags in 91 attempts. That efficiency could be a major factor against an Alabama State team that has allowed opponents to run often.

Weaknesses

Alabama’s lineup has been good, but not overwhelming by average. The Crimson Tide is hitting .253 as a team, the lowest batting average in the regional. They have power with 70 home runs, patience with 267 walks and speed, but the offense can go quiet if opponents keep the top of the order off base.

The Tide has also struck out 515 times and committed 73 errors. If ASU can avoid the big inning and force Alabama to play tight late, the Hornets may be able to create pressure with contact, baserunning and situational hitting.

Key Players to Watch

Brady Neal is the tone-setter in the lineup because of his average, power and on-base ability. Bryce Fowler gives Alabama a contact-and-speed threat. Justin Lebron may be the most explosive player in the regional because of his 14 home runs and 38 stolen bases. On the mound, Tyler Fay, Zane Adams and Myles Upchurch are the arms most likely to shape Alabama’s path through the weekend.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Alabama swept the season series against Alabama State, winning 2-1 in Tuscaloosa and 13-4 in Montgomery. That gives the Crimson Tide a clear head-to-head edge entering Friday.

Against shared opponents outside the head-to-head series — Auburn, South Alabama, Troy and UAB — Alabama went 5-3, while Alabama State went 1-4. Alabama went 3-0 against Auburn, split with UAB and Troy, and lost once to South Alabama. ASU beat South Alabama but lost to Auburn, UAB and twice to Troy.

What It Takes for ASU to Beat Alabama

ASU’s best chance against Alabama is to make the opener look more like the 2-1 game than the 13-4 game. The Hornets need a strong start, likely from LaBoy or another top arm, and they need to keep Lebron and Fowler off the bases. Walks are dangerous against Alabama because the Tide can immediately turn them into extra-base pressure with the running game.

At the plate, ASU must force Alabama’s starter into deep counts. If the Hornets can get to the middle innings within one or two runs, the pressure shifts. A quick lead would also matter because it would force Alabama to manage its bullpen earlier than preferred in a double-elimination format.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Oklahoma State may be the most dangerous offensive team in the regional. The Cowboys are 37-20 overall, 18-12 in the Big 12, and bring one of the nation’s top power profiles to Tuscaloosa.

Strengths

The Cowboys hit .280 as a team with a .402 on-base percentage and a massive .562 slugging percentage. The number that jumps off the page is 137 home runs. No other team in this regional is close to that power total.

Kollin Ritchie is the centerpiece. He is hitting .335 with 29 home runs, 73 RBI, a .478 on-base percentage and an .828 slugging percentage. Alex Conover has been just as important, batting .383 with 14 home runs, 64 runs, a .496 on-base percentage and 15 stolen bases. Aidan Meola adds 17 home runs and 69 RBI, while Brock Thompson, Colin Brueggemann and Garrett Shull give the Cowboys more power throughout the order.

This is a lineup that can erase a deficit quickly. ASU cannot assume a three- or four-run lead is safe against Oklahoma State.

Weaknesses

Oklahoma State’s weakness is the same thing that gives every opponent in this regional hope: pitching. The Cowboys have a 6.24 team ERA and have allowed 76 home runs. They have also issued 275 walks. That creates scoring chances for opponents that can stay disciplined and avoid chasing early-count pitches.

Hudson Barrett has been the most efficient arm with a 3.05 ERA, while Ethan Lund has the highest strikeout ceiling with 127 strikeouts in 77 innings. Mario Pesca has six wins and 75 strikeouts, and Noah Wech has six saves. Still, the staff has had enough volatility that games can swing quickly in either direction.

Key Players to Watch

Kollin Ritchie is the headline name because of his 29 home runs. Alex Conover is the table-setter and complete offensive piece. Aidan Meola is another RBI threat. Ethan Lund can miss bats at a high level, while Hudson Barrett gives Oklahoma State a stabilizing arm if he is used in a key spot.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Oklahoma State did not play Alabama State during the season, and the two teams had no common opponents. The Cowboys open against USC Upstate, a team they also did not face during the regular season.

Oklahoma State and Alabama had three shared opponents — Oklahoma, Vanderbilt and Arkansas. Alabama went 5-4 against that group, while Oklahoma State went 2-2. Oklahoma State and USC Upstate shared Gardner-Webb as a common opponent; OSU went 2-1, while USC Upstate went 3-0.

What It Takes for ASU to Beat Oklahoma State

If Alabama State sees Oklahoma State, the game plan has to begin with damage control. ASU cannot give the Cowboys extra traffic in front of Ritchie, Conover and Meola. Solo home runs are survivable. Walks, hit batters and errors in front of multi-run homers are not.

Offensively, ASU must be patient. Oklahoma State’s pitching staff can strike hitters out, but it also gives up walks and home runs. The Hornets need Oropeza, Callaway, Williams and Chandler to make the Cowboys throw strikes. A lower-scoring game favors ASU less than Alabama, but a game in the 7-6 or 8-7 range could put the Hornets right where they want to be.

USC Upstate Spartans

USC Upstate is the No. 3 seed, but the Spartans are not a typical three-seed. They enter as Big South champions with a 33-28 record, a 6-1 neutral-site mark and an offense capable of turning a regional into a track meet.

Strengths

USC Upstate has the best team batting average in the field at .291 and pairs it with a .400 on-base percentage. The Spartans have 616 hits, 138 doubles, 70 home runs and 431 RBI. This is a deep, mature lineup with several hitters who can extend innings.

Henry Zenor leads the way with a .346 average, 92 hits, 18 doubles, eight home runs and 51 RBI. Wylie Waters is hitting .320 with 12 home runs and 50 RBI. Jake Armsey is at .309 with 19 doubles and 50 RBI. Tyler Lang is hitting .304 with a .431 on-base percentage, and Maloy Heaghney brings speed and production with 21 doubles and 22 steals.

Johnny Sweeney is another matchup problem. He has 12 home runs, 54 RBI and a .444 on-base percentage, helped by 29 hit-by-pitches. USC Upstate can score with hits, walks, extra-base power and pressure on the bases.

Weaknesses

The Spartans have a 5.89 team ERA and have allowed 82 home runs. Opponents have also attempted 247 steals and converted 196 of them. That is a major area Alabama State could exploit if the Hornets get runners on base.

USC Upstate’s road record is also a concern. The Spartans were 11-23 away from home, although their 6-1 neutral-site record suggests they have been better in tournament settings. The pitching staff has usable pieces, but it has not consistently shut teams down. Chris Torres, Brent Stukes and Max Kaplan have carried the heaviest starting workloads, while Jacob Kirby has been excellent in relief with a 3.91 ERA and two saves.

Key Players to Watch

Henry Zenor is the hit machine at the top of the scouting report. Wylie Waters, Johnny Sweeney and Maloy Heaghney are key because they combine power, on-base skill and pressure. On the mound, Chris Torres, Brent Stukes, Max Kaplan and Jacob Kirby are the names likely to determine how deep the Spartans can go.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

Alabama State and USC Upstate did not play this season. Their common opponents were Longwood, South Alabama and Valparaiso. ASU went 4-3 against those teams, while USC Upstate went 4-6.

The Longwood comparison is especially interesting. Alabama State went 2-1 against Longwood in Montgomery, while USC Upstate played Longwood six times and split 3-3, including three meetings in the Big South Tournament.

What It Takes for ASU to Beat USC Upstate

If ASU matches up with USC Upstate, the Hornets need to run and force defensive throws. The Spartans have allowed opponents to steal at a high volume, and ASU cannot leave that advantage unused. Divine, Santana, Chandler and the bottom half of the order need to put the ball in play and make USC Upstate handle pressure.

On the mound, ASU must keep Zenor, Waters, Heaghney and Sweeney from building big innings. USC Upstate is dangerous when the lineup turns over with runners on base. The Hornets do not need to overpower the Spartans, but they must avoid giving them extra baserunners through walks and hit batters.

The Path for Alabama State

The clearest path for Alabama State is to win the opener. Beating Alabama would immediately change the regional because it would force the host team into the loser’s bracket and allow ASU to play from a position of control. That is easier said than done, but the Hornets have already shown they can play Alabama close.

If ASU loses the opener, the road becomes much harder. The Hornets would need to win four straight elimination games, likely using every trusted arm on the staff. That makes pitching management critical from the first inning Friday.

For ASU to win the Tuscaloosa Regional, five things must happen:

1. The Hornets must cut down free baserunners. Their offense is good enough to score, but walks and hit batters against Alabama, Oklahoma State or USC Upstate can lead to big innings.
2. Oropeza must be protected. If teams pitch around him, Chandler, Williams, Callaway and the rest of the order must make them pay.
3. Peterson and Matthews must be available in leverage spots. ASU’s best run-prevention arms cannot be wasted in low-impact innings.
4. The defense must be clean. In a regional with three high-powered offenses, extra outs can decide games.
5. ASU must carry over its tournament confidence. The Hornets were unbeaten in neutral-site games and swept through the SWAC Tournament. They will need that same edge in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama State is not the favorite on paper. Alabama has the home field and the pitching. Oklahoma State has the biggest power profile. USC Upstate has the deepest batting average and on-base lineup. But the Hornets have momentum, a true middle-order star in Oropeza and a tournament-tested roster that just won its way into the field.

If ASU can turn the regional into pressure baseball — tight games, runners in motion, late-inning at-bats and clean defense — the Hornets have a path to make Tuscaloosa more interesting than the seed lines suggest.

Hard to recall any HBCU games in recent times in which one ballplayer has connected on three home runs.

However, it does bring to mind a game in which Grambling College (now known as Grambling State University) freshman Tommie Agee accounted for four.

The date was March 14, 1961 and Grambling had opened up its season the day before with a 25-1 victory versus Philander Smith College (now known as Philander Smith University). In that game, Agee introduced himself to the Panthers of Philander Smith with his first collegiate homer.

Collie Nicholson, Grambling’s legendary sports information director, penned the results of Agee’s second game this way…

“Tommie Agee unfurled four home runs Tuesday as Grambling College blasted Philander Smith 24-2, with a sizzling 21-hit attack. Agee, a sensational 210-pound freshman outfielder, drove in nine runs with his fifth four-master in two days.”

According to Nicholson, Agee rattled two 385-foot drives over the centerfield wall and “added to the mounting frustrations of the Panther chuckers by turning his trip-hammer assault to right field”.

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), which Grambling was a member of at that time, began accumulating and recording statistics in 1960.  Though Tommie Agee’s feet was well-documented in newspapers, his four home run game was never acknowledged in the association’s record book.  Nonetheless, four home runs in a single game remained a record that eventually was shared with fourteen others through the years until James Ford of Spalding University collected five home runs on May 9, 2003. That feat was duplicated by David Bergin of Tennessee Wesleyan University in 2011.

Tommie Agee earned All-American honors that year while leading the Tigers to an NAIA World Series appearance, then signed a professional baseball contract at the end of the 1961 college season. In 1966, Agee was named the American League Rookie of the Year. Over his twelve-year Major League career, Agee connected on 130 home runs. He was never able to duplicate that four home run performance in the Majors… never having more than two in any one game, which he did five times.  However, he did have a record blast of 505’ at old Shea Stadium that warranted a plaque which remained there until the stadium was demolished in early 2009.

Large School Poll

Small School Poll

2026 Poll Dates (with links to poll results):

Week 1 (March 11 , 2026)
Week 2 (March 25, 2026)
Week 3 (April 8, 2026)
Week 4 (April 22, 2026)
Week 5 (May 6, 2026)
Week 6 (May 20, 2026)
Final Poll (May 27, 2026)

The voting committee is made up of an informed and impartial group of individuals who follow college baseball on all levels, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) baseball. Included in the group are college athletic administrators and educators, college baseball writers and other sports journalists and broadcasters, former HBCU and other college ballplayers and above all else… college baseball enthusiasts who have an interest in promoting HBCU baseball.

As the college baseball season concludes, champions are named in two divisions… the “large school” division which is composed of the 17 HBCU schools representing NCAA Division I and a “small school” division made up of the 38 HBCU schools with NCAA Division II, NAIA NCCAA and USCAA status.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The weather made one final appearance at Rickwood Field, but it could not stop Alabama State from finishing the job.

After the 2026 SWAC Baseball Championship Game was delayed by more than three hours due to rain and later halted briefly in the sixth inning by another rain storm, Alabama State held off Florida A&M, 8-6, on Sunday afternoon to win the SWAC Tournament championship and claim the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

For the Hornets, the win marked their second SWAC Tournament championship in the expansion era, which began in 2021. Alabama State completed a perfect tournament run, going 4-0 with wins over Grambling State, Arkansas-Pine Bluff twice, and Florida A&M in the winner-take-all final.

Florida A&M, which entered Sunday also unbeaten in tournament play and had beaten Southern twice to win Bracket A, made a late push with three runs in the eighth and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth. But Alabama State reliever James Peterson, who entered in the fifth inning and worked the final 4.2 innings, closed the door to secure the championship. 

Alabama State 8, Florida A&M 6

Alabama State struck first in the top of the first inning. Breydon Divine singled, stole second and came home on a Niguel Jenkins RBI single to give the Hornets a 1-0 lead. Florida A&M answered in the bottom half when Jay Campbell tripled to left center and Jackson McKenzie doubled him home, tying the game at 1-1.

The Hornets moved back ahead in the third when Devin Chandler singled, Divine moved him over with a sacrifice bunt, and Miguel Oropeza singled to left to score Chandler for a 2-1 Alabama State lead. The fourth inning became the first major turning point. Jackson Williams and Cale Clark opened the inning with hits, Alex Espaillat moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt, and Fabian Santana singled in Williams. Chandler followed with an RBI single, then Oropeza was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins was also hit by a pitch, forcing in Santana and extending the Alabama State lead to 5-1.

Florida A&M got one back in the bottom of the fourth on Josue Figueroa’s RBI double, cutting the deficit to 5-2. The Rattlers then threatened again in the fifth after William Brown singled and Campbell reached with one out, but Peterson entered for Jorhan LaBoy and induced a double play from McKenzie to end the inning.

Alabama State delivered what proved to be the championship swing in the sixth. Oropeza walked, Jenkins was hit by a pitch for the second time, and Trey Callaway launched a three-run home run to right center, pushing the Hornets’ lead to 8-2. That blast gave Alabama State the cushion it needed once Florida A&M made its late charge. 

The Rattlers scored in the seventh on Campbell’s RBI single, then made things tight in the eighth. Alex Monile singled, Figueroa singled, and Jordan Brown reached on an infield single with a throwing error that allowed both Monile and Figueroa to score. William Brown followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home Jordan Brown, trimming Alabama State’s lead to 8-6.

Florida A&M had one final chance in the ninth. McKenzie singled and Ethan Miller followed with a single down the left-field line to bring the tying run aboard. Peterson responded by getting Matthew Perez to foul out and Monile to fly out to right, setting off Alabama State’s championship celebration. 

Key Performers

Alabama State finished with 13 hits. Cale Clark went 3-for-4, while Chandler, Oropeza and Santana each had two hits. Callaway’s lone hit was the biggest swing of the game, a three-run homer that gave the Hornets an 8-2 lead. Oropeza went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, a hit-by-pitch and a run scored, completing an MVP-caliber tournament.

Florida A&M had 14 hits in the loss. Brown went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Campbell went 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored, and McKenzie went 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. Figueroa also added two hits and an RBI for the Rattlers. 

Pitch Counts

Alabama State:
Jorhan LaBoy — 74 pitches
James Peterson — 76 pitches

Florida A&M:
Caleb Granger — 83 pitches
Tanner Walker — 37 pitches
Cody Williams — 23 pitches

LaBoy gave Alabama State 4.1 innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits. Peterson earned the win, allowing four runs, two earned, over 4.2 innings while working through Florida A&M’s late rally. For FAMU, Granger took the loss after allowing five runs on 11 hits over five innings. 

All-Tournament Team

Ryan Hunter, Southern
Andrey Martinez, Bethune-Cookman
Vinny Saumell, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Aaron Grant, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Alex Monile, Florida A&M
Jesus Campa, Florida A&M
Jackson McKenzie, Florida A&M
Jay Campbell, Florida A&M
Fabian Santana, Alabama State
James Peterson, Alabama State
Jorhan LaBoy, Alabama State
Miguel Oropeza, Alabama State — MVP

Miguel Oropeza, Black College Nines’ 2025 Small School Player of the Year as an undergraduate at Talladega College, was the clear centerpiece of Alabama State’s championship run. He delivered key swings throughout the tournament, including a grand slam against Grambling State, a three-run double in the Hornets’ comeback win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, a three-run homer in the Bracket B final, and another RBI hit in Sunday’s championship game.

What It Means

With the win, Alabama State earns the SWAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and will await its regional destination during Monday’s NCAA Division I Baseball Selection Show.The 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, May 25 at 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2. ESPN’s selection special will reveal the full bracket, regional pairings and host sites for the Road to Omaha, The Hornets are likely to be placed as a No. 4 seed in regional play.

For Florida A&M, the loss ends a strong tournament run that included three wins and a Bracket A title. The Rattlers reached the championship game behind one of the tournament’s best offensive groups, but Alabama State’s timely power, bullpen toughness and run production from the heart of the order proved to be the difference on Sunday.

Game 13 — SWAC Championship Game

No. 3 Florida A&M and No. 4 Alabama State will meet Sunday at 1 p.m. CT in a winner-take-all SWAC Championship Game, with the conference title, the league’s automatic NCAA Tournament bid and a likely No. 4 regional seed on the line. The winner will learn its NCAA regional destination Monday morning when the Division I Baseball Selection Show airs at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2.

Sunday, May 24 — 2 p.m ET/1 p.m. CT — Rickwood Field | Birmingham, AL
No. 3 Florida A&M vs. No. 4 Alabama State
Winner-take-all | Broadcast: SWAC TV

Head-to-head: Florida A&M leads the season series 3-1. Alabama State won the neutral-site meeting at the Andre Dawson Classic, 11-4, before FAMU swept the conference series in Tallahassee by scores of 5-1, 9-1 and 7-2. The teams have not faced each other in this tournament.

Florida A&M enters the championship game as one of the hottest teams in the field. The Rattlers are 3-0 in the tournament, with wins over Texas Southern and Southern twice. FAMU has scored 28 runs in three games, but Saturday showed the Rattlers can also win without a big offensive number. After scoring 23 runs in their first two games, they used pitching and situational hitting to beat Southern 5-1.

Alabama State has taken the more dramatic path but also enters the title game 3-0 in the tournament. The Hornets opened with a 10-0 run-rule win over Grambling, then twice beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff in weather-affected games. Alabama State trailed UAPB 7-2 on Friday before rallying to win 8-7, then came back Saturday night after a long rain delay and used two home runs in the fourth to secure the Bracket B title.

Championship Pitching Outlook

Pitching availability may be the biggest separator in Sunday’s winner-take-all championship game.

Florida A&M should have its top two length pitching options available, with Caleb Granger expected to get the start and Garrett Workman positioned as the primary follow-up arm. That gives the Rattlers a clear path to cover most of the game with two of their best pitchers. Granger threw 101 pitches in Wednesday’s tournament opener against Texas Southern, while Workman threw 73 pitches Thursday against Southern, giving both arms multiple days of recovery before the championship.

Alabama State is expected to start Jorhan LaBoy, who threw 88 pitches in Wednesday’s 10-0 win over Grambling State. LaBoy has had a similar recovery window as Granger, but the larger question for ASU is what comes after him. The Hornets have leaned heavily on James Peterson and Camden Matthews, who have each appeared three times in the tournament, and Trey Power threw 83 pitches late Saturday night against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. That could make LaBoy’s length especially important for Alabama State.

Florida A&M Tournament Leaders

Top offensive performers:
Jackson McKenzie: 6-for-12, six runs, four RBI, two home runs, one double, one triple, three walks/HBP combined.
Jay Campbell: 5-for-11, five runs, five RBI, one double, one triple, one home run, three walks.
Matthew Perez: 4-for-12, five RBI, two runs, one double, four walks.
William Brown: 3-for-9, three runs, three RBI, three walks.
Alex Monile: 6-for-9, two runs, one double, two walks.

Pitching usage and leaders:
Caleb Granger: 1 appearance, 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 101 pitches.
Garrett Workman: 1 appearance, 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 73 pitches.
Jesus Campa: 1 appearance, 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 85 pitches.
Ryan Young: 2 appearances, 3.2 IP, 0 ER, one save, 40 pitches.
Clark Lincoln: 2 appearances, 2.2 IP, 0 ER, 39 pitches.
Tanner Walker: 2 appearances, 2.1 IP, eight earned runs, 62 pitches.
Cody Williams: 1 appearance, 1.0 IP, 0 ER, one save, 13 pitches.

Alabama State Tournament Leaders

Top offensive performers:
Miguel Oropeza: 6-for-11, five runs, 12 RBI, two home runs, two doubles, four walks.
Fabian Santana: 6-for-9, three runs, four RBI, one walk.
Jackson Williams: 5-for-12, one run, two RBI, one double.
Trey Callaway: 4-for-11, two runs, three RBI, one walk.
Devin Chandler: 3-for-11, four runs, two RBI, one home run, three walks.
Alex Espaillat: 3-for-6, three runs, one RBI, one double.

Pitching usage and leaders:
James Peterson: 3 appearances, 9.0 IP, four earned runs, one save, 121 pitches.
Camden Matthews: 3 appearances, 5.1 IP, three earned runs, one win, 95 pitches.
Jorhan LaBoy: 1 appearance, 5.0 IP, 0 ER, one win, 88 pitches.
Trey Power: 1 appearance, 5.2 IP, three earned runs, one win, 83 pitches.
Caio Araujo: 1 appearance, 1.0 IP, 0 ER, 29 pitches.

Top Tournament MVP Candidates

Florida A&M

1. Jackson McKenzie
   McKenzie has been FAMU’s most dangerous bat, with two home runs, six runs scored and the best all-around offensive line for the Rattlers.
2. Matthew Perez
   Perez has driven in five runs and delivered key situational at-bats, including run-producing moments in both wins over Southern.
3. Ryan Young
   Young has been a quiet but important pitching weapon. His three hitless innings to close the Bracket A final gave FAMU a clean path to Sunday.

Alabama State

1. Miguel Oropeza
   Oropeza is the clear front-runner from Alabama State. He has 12 RBI in three tournament games, including a grand slam against Grambling, a three-run double in the comeback against UAPB, and a three-run homer in the Bracket B final.
2. Fabian Santana
   Santana has been steady throughout the tournament, hitting 6-for-9 and delivering key RBI swings in both games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
3. James Peterson
   Peterson has appeared in three games and has been used in leverage spots, including a save against Grambling and the final inning to close the Bracket B championship game.

What Florida A&M Needs to Do to Win

Florida A&M’s best path is to let its pitching advantage shape the game. With Granger expected to start and Workman available behind him, the Rattlers can try to control the tempo early, avoid bullpen scrambling and force Alabama State to win clean innings rather than feast on free bases.

Offensively, FAMU needs to continue doing what it has done throughout the tournament: control at-bats, pressure pitchers and create traffic for the middle of the order. Jackson McKenzie, Jay Campbell and Matthew Perez have been the key run producers, and the Rattlers have shown they can win both ways — with a 15-run outburst and with a more efficient, situational 5-1 win.

The Rattlers also need to make LaBoy work. If FAMU can elevate his pitch count by the middle innings, it could force Alabama State into a bullpen that has already carried a heavy tournament workload. That may be the championship’s pressure point.

What Alabama State Needs to Do to Win

Alabama State needs LaBoy to give the Hornets length. If he can get through the middle innings with the game close or with ASU ahead, the Hornets can shorten the game and be more selective with Peterson, Matthews or any remaining bullpen options.

Offensively, ASU has to make its power count. Miguel Oropeza has been the tournament’s most productive hitter, and the Hornets need runners on base ahead of him. Fabian Santana, Devin Chandler, Trey Callaway, Jackson Williams and Niguel Jenkins have all delivered key swings, and ASU’s best chance is to create one or two big innings rather than try to match FAMU pitch-for-pitch over nine innings.

The Hornets also need to play from in front. Because FAMU has more clearly defined length options available, Alabama State does not want to chase the game late. A quick start would allow LaBoy to attack the zone and give ASU more flexibility with a bullpen that may not be as fresh as FAMU’s.

NCAA Tournament Stakes

The winner of Sunday’s SWAC Championship Game will receive the league’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship. The SWAC champion will most likely be placed as a No. 4 seed in one of the 16 NCAA regionals, with the full 64-team bracket revealed Monday.

The 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, May 25 at 12 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2. ESPN’s selection special will reveal the full bracket, regional pairings and host sites for the Road to Omaha.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — While the weather gods have not shown favor to the Southwestern Athletic Conference during the 2026 baseball tournament, the baseball gods came through.

For the first time since expansion, there were no “if necessary” games needed to determine the championship matchup. Florida A&M claimed Bracket A with a 5-1 win over Southern, while Alabama State finished Bracket B with an 8-5 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a game that included another significant weather delay and did not end until just before midnight.

The day opened with Arkansas-Pine Bluff eliminating No. 1 Bethune-Cookman, 13-8, before the Golden Lions were forced to turn around and face Alabama State later that same afternoon. Due to weather and schedule compression, UAPB was forced to start play in three games within a 32-hour window, and two of those three games were delayed by weather. The Golden Lions played Alabama State on Friday in a game that was suspended after the third inning and resumed more than five hours later, then returned Saturday morning to face Bethune-Cookman before closing the day against Alabama State again in a game suspended by rain at 5:17 p.m. and resumed at 8:46 p.m.

Weather has been one of the defining storylines of the tournament at Rickwood Field. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s opening-night upset of Bethune-Cookman was delayed in the ninth inning and finished after midnight. Florida A&M’s first win over Southern included a 1-hour, 59-minute rain delay. Alabama State’s first meeting with UAPB was postponed from Thursday to Friday, then suspended after the third inning before resuming hours later. On Saturday, Alabama State and UAPB were again suspended due to rain, resumed more than three hours later, and finished at 11:53 p.m.

Still, the bracket produced a clean final. No. 3 Florida A&M and No. 4 Alabama State both enter Sunday’s championship game unbeaten in the tournament at 3-0, setting up a winner-take-all SWAC title game at 1 p.m. CT. All tournament games are broadcast on SWAC TV.

Game 10: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 13, Bethune-Cookman 8

Arkansas-Pine Bluff eliminated No. 1 Bethune-Cookman for the second time in the tournament, using a seven-run eighth inning to turn an 8-6 deficit into a 13-8 win.

UAPB scored first in the opening inning when Nick Hockemeyer drew a bases-loaded walk. The Golden Lions added two runs in the fourth on a Zyon Hamilton RBI double and a Konner Giddley sacrifice bunt to move ahead 3-0. Bethune-Cookman cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom half, then erupted for six runs in the sixth. Jeter Polledo tied the game with an RBI double, Christopher Watson followed with a two-run single, Andrey Martinez added a two-run single, and Michael Rodriguez capped the inning with an RBI single to give the Wildcats an 8-3 lead.

But UAPB did not go away. The Golden Lions scored three in the seventh, then took control in the eighth. Jose Vasquez doubled in two runs to tie the game, Weston Gingerich singled in the go-ahead run, Hamilton added a two-run single, and Vinny Saumell followed with a two-run single to complete the seven-run inning.

Hamilton finished 2-for-5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored. Saumell went 3-for-5 with two RBI, Aaron Grant went 3-for-6 with an RBI, Vasquez drove in two, and Gingerich, Zach Wieder and Grant each collected multiple hits. For Bethune-Cookman, Martinez went 2-for-5 with two RBI, Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with an RBI, Fernandez had two hits, and Polledo drove in two.

Pitch counts:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Ryland Morin 59; Emerson Lott 21; Nate Lee 5; Brendan Hamlin 55.

Result: Arkansas-Pine Bluff advanced to face Alabama State. Bethune-Cookman was eliminated.

Game 11: Florida A&M 5, Southern 1

Florida A&M punched its ticket to the championship game with a controlled 5-1 win over Southern, using early offense, situational hitting and strong pitching from Jesus Campa and Ryan Young.

Southern jumped ahead immediately when Ryan Hunter led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run to right center, but FAMU answered in the second. Jackson McKenzie tied the game with a solo home run, Ethan Miller later scored on Matthew Perez’s sacrifice fly, and the Rattlers never trailed again.

FAMU added single runs in the third, fourth and sixth. Jay Campbell’s sacrifice fly scored William Brown in the third, Brown’s sacrifice fly brought home Perez in the fourth, and Perez scored again in the sixth on a wild pitch. The Rattlers managed only six hits but drew 11 walks, moved runners efficiently and turned limited contact into enough offense.

Campa earned the win after allowing one run on five hits over six innings. Young was excellent in relief, throwing three hitless innings with three strikeouts to earn the save. Southern had early chances behind Hunter and KJ White Jr., who each finished with two hits, but the Jaguars were held scoreless after the first inning.

McKenzie went 1-for-2 with a home run, two hit-by-pitches, a walk and an RBI. Brown reached three times, scored once and drove in a run. Campbell drove in a run, Perez scored twice and drove in one, and Jordan Brown reached twice. Hunter led Southern with a 2-for-4 day, including the home run and a double, while White Jr. went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Pitch counts:
Florida A&M: Jesus Campa 85; Ryan Young 37.

Result: Florida A&M won Bracket A and advanced to the championship game. Southern was eliminated.

Game 12: Alabama State 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 5

Alabama State survived a second straight weather-impacted battle with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, beating the Golden Lions 8-5 to win Bracket B and advance to the championship game.

The game started at 4:50 p.m., but play was suspended due to rain at 5:17 p.m. and did not resume until 8:46 p.m. Once play settled in, Alabama State used power and timely offense to create separation.

The Hornets scored first in the opening inning on Trey Callaway’s RBI single. UAPB tied the game in the second on Giddley’s RBI single, but Alabama State took control with a five-run fourth. Alex Espaillat doubled and scored on Fabian Santana’s RBI single. Breydon Divine singled, Miguel Oropeza launched a three-run homer, and Niguel Jenkins followed with a solo homer to make it 6-1.

UAPB chipped away with two runs in the sixth on Hockemeyer’s two-run single, but Alabama State answered in the seventh. Espaillat brought in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Santana followed with another RBI single to push the lead to 8-3. UAPB scored twice in the eighth on Wieder’s sacrifice fly and Grant’s RBI double, but James Peterson got the final three outs in the ninth to earn the save.

Oropeza again led the Hornets, going 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, two walks and two runs scored. Callaway and Jackson Williams each had two hits, Santana went 2-for-2 with two RBI, and Espaillat doubled and drove in a run. For UAPB, Grant went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Zyon Hamilton went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Hockemeyer drove in two, and Giddley added two hits and an RBI.

Pitch counts:
Alabama State: Trey Power 83; Caio Araujo 29; Camden Matthews 28; James Peterson 11.

Result: Alabama State won Bracket B and advanced to the championship game. Arkansas-Pine Bluff was eliminated.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Weather continued to shape the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament on Friday at Rickwood Field, forcing another major schedule adjustment and turning Day Three into a long test of patience, pitching depth and recovery.

Alabama State opened the day with an 8-7 comeback win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Bracket B winners’ bracket game that featured multiple weather delays, including a suspension after the third inning. Southern closed the night by eliminating Texas Southern, 6-4, in Bracket A. The delays pushed Game 10 between No. 1 Bethune-Cookman and Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Game 11 between No. 3 Florida A&M and No. 2 Southern to Saturday.

Weather has now become one of the tournament’s biggest storylines. Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Day One upset of Bethune-Cookman was delayed in the ninth inning and finished after midnight. Florida A&M’s Day Two win over Southern included a 1-hour, 59-minute rain delay. On Friday, Alabama State and UAPB were halted at 9:38 a.m., resumed at 11:39 a.m., then suspended again at 12:08 p.m. after the third inning before resuming at 5:16 p.m. 

All tournament games are broadcast on SWAC TV.

Game 8: Alabama State 8, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7

Alabama State trailed by five runs entering the bottom of the seventh, but the Hornets stormed back with four runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth to defeat Arkansas-Pine Bluff, 8-7.

The Hornets scored first in the opening inning on Miguel Oropeza’s RBI single and Jackson Williams’ RBI single, but UAPB answered in the second when Zach Wieder singled home two runs to tie the game. After the weather delays disrupted the rhythm of the game, Arkansas-Pine Bluff moved in front in the fourth on Wieder’s sacrifice fly, then added three runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to build a 7-2 lead.

Alabama State’s comeback started in the seventh. Fabian Santana and Devin Chandler singled, Breydon Divine was hit by a pitch, and Oropeza cleared the bases with a three-run double to cut the deficit to 7-5. Trey Callaway followed with an RBI single to make it 7-6. In the eighth, Alex Espaillat singled, Santana moved him over with a sacrifice bunt, and Chandler delivered the decisive swing with a two-run homer to left field.

Oropeza led Alabama State, going 2-for-4 with four RBI, a double, a walk and two runs scored. Chandler went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, two RBI and the go-ahead home run. Espaillat added two hits off the bench, while Callaway and Williams each drove in a run. For UAPB, Vinny Saumell went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Zyon Hamilton went 3-for-5 with an RBI, Wieder drove in three runs, and Konner Giddley added two hits. 

Pitch counts:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Ryland Morin 27; Jordan Medellin 78; Jalen Porter 44.
Alabama State: James Peterson 78; Camden Matthews 62.

Result: Alabama State advances to Saturday’s Bracket B final. Arkansas-Pine Bluff drops into an elimination game against Bethune-Cookman.

Game 9: Southern 6, Texas Southern 4

Southern stayed alive in Bracket A by scoring five runs in the first inning and holding off Texas Southern, 6-4.

The Jaguars wasted no time in the bottom of the first. Ryan Hunter doubled, KJ White Jr. bunted for a hit, Jaylon Lucky walked, and Southern used a Texas Southern defensive miscue, a Kameron Byrd bases-loaded walk, a Kenyon Hughes RBI single, a Donny Sandifer sacrifice fly and a wild pitch to build a 5-0 lead.

Texas Southern answered with two runs in the third on sacrifice flies by Nate Lopez and Anthony Ruiz, then added another run in the fifth on Ruiz’s RBI single to make it 5-3. Southern pushed across an insurance run in the seventh when Xavier Bradley reached on an error and later scored on Lucky’s double-play grounder. Texas Southern made it 6-4 in the eighth on Shaun Williams’ RBI single, but Caleb Ellis worked three innings of relief to earn the save.

Hunter and White led Southern with two hits apiece. Hughes went 2-for-4 with an RBI, Byrd reached three times and drove in a run, and Bradley doubled and scored. Texas Southern got two-hit games from Christopher Chavez and Ruiz, while Williams added an RBI single. 

Pitch counts:
Southern: Daniel McIntosh 39; Genesis Prosper 42; Caleb Ellis 58.

Result: Southern advances to face Florida A&M. Texas Southern is eliminated.

Day Four Preview

Game 10 — No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Saturday, 9 a.m. CT — Elimination Game, Bracket B

Head-to-head: Bethune-Cookman won the regular-season series 2-1. Arkansas-Pine Bluff won the tournament meeting 6-4 on Day One.

This is one of the most intriguing rematches of the tournament. UAPB has already shown it can beat the top seed, but the Golden Lions now have to do it after a long, weather-disrupted Friday. Arkansas-Pine Bluff used Ryland Morin, Jordan Medellin and Jalen Porter against Alabama State, with Medellin throwing 78 pitches and Porter throwing 44. That makes pitching management the biggest question for the Golden Lions.

Bethune-Cookman has had more recovery time since eliminating Grambling on Thursday, but the Wildcats also used four arms in that 7-6 win, including Harbersting Abreu for 110 pitches and Pablo Torres for 30. B-CU’s lineup has been dangerous all week, but the Wildcats have had to fight from behind in both tournament games. 

The key for Bethune-Cookman is early offense. If the Wildcats get traffic on base ahead of Jose Fernandez, Andrey Martinez, Michael Rodriguez and Erick Almonte, they can put immediate pressure on a UAPB staff coming off a long Friday. For Arkansas-Pine Bluff, the formula is similar to Day One: get production from Zach Wieder, Aaron Grant, Vinny Saumell, Zyon Hamilton and Konner Giddley, and force Bethune-Cookman to play from behind again.

Game 11 — No. 3 Florida A&M vs. No. 2 Southern

Saturday, 12 p.m. CT — Bracket A Final

Head-to-head: Florida A&M won the regular-season series 2-1 and beat Southern 15-6 in the tournament on Thursday.

Florida A&M is in the driver’s seat. The Rattlers need one win to take Bracket A and advance to Sunday’s championship game, while Southern must beat FAMU twice. The first tournament meeting was one-sided offensively, with Florida A&M pounding out 19 hits. Jackson McKenzie went 4-for-6 with a double, triple, home run, four RBI and four runs scored, while Matthew Perez drove in four and Jay Campbell added a double, triple, two RBI and three runs. 

Southern did rebound Friday night by eliminating Texas Southern, but the Jaguars had to use Daniel McIntosh, Genesis Prosper and Caleb Ellis. Prosper threw 42 pitches and Ellis threw 58, which matters because both could be important again if Southern forces an “if necessary” game.

For Southern, the path starts with cleaner early innings. The Jaguars gave up runs in six different innings against FAMU on Thursday, and the Rattlers’ lineup has punished mistakes throughout the tournament. Southern needs length from its starter, a better first-time-through-the-order plan against McKenzie and Campbell, and continued offense from Ryan Hunter, KJ White Jr., Jaylon Lucky and Kenyon Hughes.

FAMU’s goal is simpler: keep the pressure on, make Southern use arms early, and avoid giving the Jaguars late life.

Game 12 — UAPB/BCU Winner Game 10 vs. No. 4 Alabama State

Saturday, 3 p.m. CT — Bracket B Final

Possible head-to-heads: If Alabama State faces Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama State won the regular-season series 2-1and now leads the tournament matchup 1-0 after Friday’s 8-7 comeback. If Alabama State faces Bethune-Cookman, Bethune-Cookman won the regular-season series 2-1.

Alabama State is one win from the championship game, but Friday’s weather marathon took a toll. The Hornets needed James Peterson for 78 pitches and Camden Matthews for 62 to survive UAPB. That means ASU may have to lean on the rest of its staff Saturday, especially if Game 12 becomes another high-scoring Bracket B game.

The Hornets’ advantage is momentum and power. Oropeza has been one of the tournament’s best hitters, and Chandler delivered the go-ahead two-run homer against UAPB. ASU has also shown it can win in different ways: a 10-0 run-rule win over Grambling, followed by a late comeback against Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

If the opponent is UAPB, the question becomes whether the Golden Lions have enough pitching left after playing Game 10 and coming off Friday’s delay-filled loss. If it is Bethune-Cookman, the Wildcats will be trying to beat ASU for the third time this season, but they will have to do it after surviving an elimination game earlier in the day.

Game 11b — No. 2 Southern vs. No. 3 Florida A&M

Saturday, 6 p.m. CT — If Necessary

This game only happens if Southern beats Florida A&M at noon. If it gets here, pitching depth becomes the story. FAMU would still have the advantage of needing only one win on Saturday, but Southern would carry momentum from handing the Rattlers their first tournament loss.

The “if necessary” game would likely favor whichever team manages the noon game more efficiently. If Florida A&M has to burn through multiple bullpen pieces in Game 11, Southern’s chances improve. If FAMU gets length and keeps its biggest bats rolling, the Rattlers will remain in strong position to close the bracket.

Sunday Outlook

Game 12b — No. 4 Alabama State vs. UAPB/BCU Winner

Sunday, 9 a.m. CT — If Necessary

This game only happens if Alabama State loses Game 12. If needed, it would be another major pitching-depth test because the Bracket B survivor could be playing its third game in roughly 24 hours.

Game 13 — Championship Game

Sunday, 1 p.m. CT

The championship game remains winner-take-all between the Bracket A champion and the Bracket B champion. With weather delays stacking games together, the team that handles pitching usage, recovery time and early scoring opportunities best on Saturday will carry the biggest advantage into Sunday.

Modified Tournament Schedule

All Times Central | All Games on SWAC TV

Saturday, May 23

Game 10 — 9 a.m.
No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Game 11 — 12 p.m.
No. 3 Florida A&M vs. No. 2 Southern

Game 12 — 3 p.m.
Winner Game 10 (UAPB/BCU) vs. No. 4 Alabama State

Game 11b — 6 p.m.
No. 2 Southern vs. No. 3 Florida A&M, if necessary

Sunday, May 24

Game 12b — 9 a.m.
No. 4 Alabama State vs. UAPB/BCU winner, if necessary

Game 13 — 1 p.m.
Championship Game

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Day Two of the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament at Rickwood Field delivered two elimination-game thrillers and one offensive statement before weather forced a schedule change.

Texas Southern erased a six-run deficit to eliminate Jackson State, 8-7, Bethune-Cookman survived Grambling State, 7-6, and Florida A&M powered past Southern, 15-6, in a game delayed nearly two hours by rain. The scheduled Bracket B winners’ bracket game between No. 4 Alabama State and No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff was postponed due to weather and moved to Friday morning.

All tournament games are broadcast on SWAC TV.

Game 5: Texas Southern 8, Jackson State 7

Texas Southern looked buried early, trailing 7-1 after five innings, but the Tigers kept chipping away before walking off Jackson State in the bottom of the ninth.

Jackson State built the lead behind a productive top half of the order. Tyree Reed scored in the first on Pierre Cabral’s RBI groundout, Payton Chace Boines scored in the second on Robert Tate Jr.’s bases-loaded walk, and the Tigers added three more in the third on a Hederick Torres sacrifice bunt, a Shemar Harris RBI single and Reed’s RBI double. Reed doubled in another run in the fifth, and Cabral drew a bases-loaded walk to push JSU ahead 7-1.

Texas Southern started the comeback in the sixth. Shaun Williams delivered the biggest blow of the inning, a three-run triple that cut the deficit to 7-4, and Christopher Chavez followed with an RBI groundout to make it 7-5. Anthony Ruiz homered in the eighth to pull Texas Southern within one, then the Tigers finished it in the ninth. Miguel Morales and Derek Gipson opened the inning with singles, Williams tied it with an RBI single, and Chavez ended the game with a walk-off single to left center. 

Williams carried the Texas Southern offense, going 2-for-5 with a triple and four RBI. Chavez went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Ruiz homered, and Jonathan Trejo added two hits. For Jackson State, Reed was again locked in, finishing 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBI, two walks and a hit-by-pitch. Harris went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Cabral doubled, walked twice and drove in two.

Pitch counts:
Texas Southern: Joshua Pena 46; Kewan Braziel 20; Jose Luccioni 60; Jace Maynard 12; Joshua Prieto 52.

Result: Texas Southern advances to face Southern. Jackson State is eliminated.

Game 6: Bethune-Cookman 7, Grambling State 6

Bethune-Cookman responded to its Day One upset loss by building a six-run lead, then survived a late Grambling State rally to stay alive with a 7-6 win.

Grambling struck first in the opening inning when Charles Ashe III grounded out to score Dillon Braxton, but Bethune-Cookman answered in the second on Jose Fernandez’s solo home run. The Wildcats took control in the third. Maikol Lucena singled in Darryl Lee, and Erick Almonte followed with a grand slam to right field, giving Bethune-Cookman a 6-1 lead. The Wildcats added what proved to be a key run in the fifth when Michael Rodriguez scored on an error.

Grambling made it interesting in the eighth. The Tigers scored four runs in the inning, highlighted by RBI production from Cameron Hill, Chris Marcellus and Martavius Thomas, but Pablo Torres settled the game down for Bethune-Cookman. Torres recorded the final six outs and struck out two to earn the save. 

Almonte powered the Wildcats, going 2-for-3 with a double, home run and four RBI. Fernandez finished 2-for-3 with a homer, two runs and a walk, while Rodriguez scored twice. Grambling got two-hit games from Trey Bridges and Cameron Hill, and Ashe added a double and an RBI.

Pitch counts:
Bethune-Cookman: Harbersting Abreu 110; Julian Carrasquilla 5; Anthony Anselmo 13; Pablo Torres 30.

Result: Bethune-Cookman advances to face the loser of Alabama State-Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Grambling State is eliminated.

Game 7: Florida A&M 15, Southern 6

Florida A&M produced the loudest offensive performance of the tournament so far, collecting 19 hits in a 15-6 win over Southern in the Bracket A winners’ bracket game.

The Rattlers scored in six different innings and broke the game open in the middle frames. Matthew Perez doubled in the game’s first run in the second, then added another RBI single in the third before Josue Figueroa’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0. Southern cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth on Jaylon Lucky’s two-run homer, but FAMU answered with three runs in the fifth, three more in the sixth, three in the seventh after a 1-hour, 59-minute rain delay, and three more in the eighth.

Jackson McKenzie led the charge with one of the tournament’s best individual games, going 4-for-6, while hitting for the cycle, with a single, double, triple, home run, four RBI and four runs scored. Perez went 3-for-6 with four RBI, Alex Monile was 3-for-3 with a double, Jay Campbell doubled, tripled, drove in two and scored three times, and Colton Ryals added an RBI double. 

Southern had 10 hits but could not keep pace. Ryan Hunter went 4-for-5 with a stolen base, KJ White Jr. added two hits, and Lucky finished with a home run and three RBI.

Pitch counts:
Florida A&M: Garrett Workman 73; Ryan Young 3; Tanner Walker 40; Clark Lincoln 23.
Southern: Myles Dismute 91; Caden Brown 45; Stephen Tolbert 10; Kenneth Jackson 33; Noah Bagby 31.

Result: Florida A&M advances to the Bracket A final. Southern drops into an elimination game against Texas Southern.

Game 8: Postponed Due To Weather 

The scheduled Bracket B winners’ bracket game between No. 4 Alabama State and No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff was postponed due to weather. That game will now open Friday’s modified schedule at 9 a.m.

Day Three Forecast

Friday, May 22 — All Games on SWAC TV

Game 8 — 9 a.m.
No. 4 Alabama State vs. No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff

Season head-to-head: Alabama State leads 2-1. The Hornets won 9-4 and 14-10 before UAPB answered with a 26-1 win in the series finale. 

This becomes the delayed Bracket B winners’ bracket game. Alabama State has not played since Wednesday’s run-rule win over Grambling, while UAPB has been waiting since its late-night upset of Bethune-Cookman.

Game 9 — 12 p.m.
No. 6 Texas Southern vs. No. 2 Southern

Season head-to-head: Texas Southern leads 1-0. The Tigers beat Southern 15-12 at the Andre Dawson Classic, while the later conference series was canceled/postponed. 

Texas Southern enters with momentum after a walk-off comeback, but pitching availability will be the question after using five arms Thursday. Southern is trying to rebound after allowing 15 runs and 19 hits to FAMU.

Game 10 — 3 p.m.
No. 1 Bethune-Cookman vs. Loser Game 8

If Bethune-Cookman faces Alabama State, the season head-to-head favors Bethune-Cookman 2-1. If the Wildcats face Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Bethune-Cookman also won the regular-season series 2-1, but UAPB won the tournament meeting 6-4 on Day One. 

Bethune-Cookman survived its first elimination test, but the Wildcats used four pitchers Thursday and will need to manage the staff carefully.

Game 11 — 6 p.m.
No. 3 Florida A&M vs. Winner Game 9

If Florida A&M faces Texas Southern, the Rattlers lead the season series 3-0 and also won the tournament opener 8-6. If FAMU faces Southern, the Rattlers won the regular-season series 2-1 and added a 15-6 tournament win on Thursday. 

Florida A&M is one win from taking Bracket A. The Rattlers’ offense has scored 23 runs in two tournament games and enters Friday as the hottest lineup in Birmingham.

Modified Tournament Schedule

Saturday, May 23
Game 12 — Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 8, 9 a.m.
Game 11b — Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 11, 12 p.m., if necessary
Game 12b — Loser Game 12 vs. Winner Game 12, 3 p.m., if necessary

Sunday, May 24
Game 13 — Championship Game, 1 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Day One of the 2026 SWAC Baseball Tournament at historic Rickwood Field delivered a full bracket shakeup Wednesday, highlighted by No. 8 Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 6-4 upset of No. 1 Bethune-Cookman in a nightcap that stretched past midnight after a rain and lightning delay.

Florida A&M opened the tournament with an 8-6 win over Texas Southern, Alabama State followed with a 10-0, eight-inning win over Grambling State, Southern rallied for a 4-3, 10-inning walk-off win over Jackson State, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff closed the night by sending the tournament’s top seed into the elimination bracket. All tournament games are broadcast on SWAC TV.

Game 1: Florida A&M 8, Texas Southern 6

Florida A&M looked in control for most of the opener, then had to answer after Texas Southern flipped the game in the seventh inning. The Rattlers scored twice in the first, added single runs in the third and fifth, and carried a 4-1 lead into the seventh before the Tigers erupted for five runs.

Texas Southern’s seventh started with Elijah Rodriguez’s double and Zachari Pace’s bunt single. Nate Lopez singled home a run, Anthony Ruiz followed with an RBI single that turned into more damage after an error, and Byron Robinson capped the inning with a two-run home run to right center to put Texas Southern ahead, 6-4.

Florida A&M immediately responded in the bottom half. Jay Campbell singled and Jackson McKenzie walked to start the rally. Colton Ryals, who entered off the bench, delivered an RBI single, then stole second. After an intentional walk to Josue Figueroa, Jordan Brown singled to center to drive in two runs and put FAMU back in front. William Brown followed with an RBI single to stretch the lead to 8-6, and Cody Williams worked a clean ninth for the save. 

FAMU finished with 14 hits, led by Campbell, who went 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. William Brown and Caden Kresak each added two hits, Ryals delivered the key bench RBI, and Jordan Brown produced the biggest swing of the Rattlers’ four-run seventh. Texas Southern had several hot bats in the loss, most notably Ruiz, who went 4-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored, and Robinson, who went 2-for-4 with a walk and the go-ahead two-run homer. 

Pitch counts:
Texas Southern: Justin Mays 134; Joshua Prieto 34.
Florida A&M: Caleb Granger 101; Tanner Walker 22; Clark Lincoln 16; Cody Williams 13.

Game 2: Alabama State 10, Grambling State 0

Alabama State broke open a scoreless game in the third and never let Grambling State back in it, rolling to a 10-0 win in eight innings.

The Hornets loaded the bases in the third before Miguel Oropeza delivered the swing of the game, a grand slam to left field that put Alabama State ahead 4-0. ASU added another run in the fourth, then extended the margin with two runs in the sixth on RBI singles from Trey Callaway and Jackson Williams. The Hornets ended it in the eighth with three more runs, highlighted by Fabian Santana’s two-run single and Oropeza’s final RBI single.

Oropeza was the day’s biggest offensive star, finishing 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, five RBI, two runs scored and a walk. Santana also had a strong day, going 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Williams and Quentin Jenkins each added two hits in Alabama State’s 13-hit effort. Grambling was shut out, but Trey Bridges and Aidan Lopez gave the Tigers traffic at the top of the order. Bridges went 2-for-4, Lopez finished 2-for-3 with a walk, and Charles Ashe III and Chris Marcellus each added a hit. 

Jorhan LaBoy earned the win for Alabama State, working five scoreless innings. James Peterson entered with the bases loaded in the sixth and shut the door with three scoreless innings and five strikeouts to earn the save.

Pitch counts:
Grambling State: Keyon Guillory 71; Hampton Phillips 57.
Alabama State: Jorhan LaBoy 88; Camden Matthews 5; James Peterson 32.

Game 3: Southern 4, Jackson State 3 — 10 innings

Southern produced the first walk-off finish of the tournament, rallying in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat Jackson State, 4-3.

Jackson State struck first in the second inning. Edwin Lemus Hudson walked, Payton Chace Boines doubled him home, and Isaac McClenty followed with an RBI single to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead. Southern answered with a run in the bottom half without a hit, as Jacoby Radcliffe was hit by a pitch, stole second and third, then scored on Kenyon Hughes’ groundout.

The score stayed 2-1 until the eighth, when Ryan Hunter tied it with a solo home run to right field. Jackson State went back in front in the top of the 10th when Diego Melendez scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Lemus Hudson, but Southern answered in the bottom of the inning. Glenn Green III walked, Edward Gregory Jr. entered as a pinch runner, and Beny Bikar Jr. doubled to right center to tie the game. After an intentional walk to KJ White Jr., Jaylon Lucky put the ball in play and brought home Bikar with the winning run on a fielder’s choice. 

Jackson State outhit Southern 10-3, and Tyree Reed was one of the hottest hitters of the day, going 4-for-5. Shemar Harris added a 2-for-4 effort, while Boines and McClenty drove in the Tigers’ early runs. Southern’s hits were limited, but each one carried weight: Hunter’s eighth-inning homer tied the game, Bikar’s 10th-inning double tied it again, and Kameron Byrd added a double. Radcliffe also impacted the game with his speed, stealing second and third before scoring Southern’s first run. 

Pitch counts:
Jackson State: Jayden Lopez 106; Jaedeyn Edwards 40; Derek Arrocha 12.
Southern: Bobby Spencer 101; Genesis Prosper 53; Caleb Ellis 7.

Game 4: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 6, Bethune-Cookman 4

Arkansas-Pine Bluff delivered the biggest result of Day One, jumping on top-seeded Bethune-Cookman early and holding on for a 6-4 win in a game delayed by rain and lightning for over an hour in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Golden Lions wasted no time, scoring three runs in the first. Zach Wieder doubled, Aaron Grant singled him home, Lazaro Alvarado doubled, Blake Coleman added an RBI single, and Nick Hockemeyer lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0. UAPB added another run in the second on Weston Gingerich’s sacrifice fly, then pushed the lead to 5-0 in the fourth when Zyon Hamilton tripled and scored on Konner Giddley’s RBI single.

Bethune-Cookman made its push in the fifth. Jeter Polledo was hit by a pitch, Christopher Watson singled, and Sergio Rivera drove in a run with a bunt single. Andrey Martinez then launched a three-run home run to left field, trimming UAPB’s lead to 5-4. The Golden Lions found a key insurance run in the ninth when Gingerich doubled, Wieder reached on a bunt single, and Grant lifted a sacrifice fly to score Gingerich. 

The bottom of the ninth turned tense. Watson singled and moved to third with one out before rain and lightning delayed play at 11:02 p.m CT. The game resumed at 12:14 a.m. CT on May 21, and Jaden Porter worked out of trouble. After Darryl Lee struck out, Martinez walked and pinch runner Sammy Seplowe stole second, putting the tying run in scoring position. Porter got Michael Rodriguez to ground out to shortstop to finish the upset. 

UAPB’s offense was balanced with 13 hits. Wieder went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored, Grant went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Coleman added two hits and an RBI, and Giddley finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. For Bethune-Cookman, Martinez supplied the big swing with a three-run homer, Rodriguez went 2-for-5, and Watson went 2-for-4 with a run scored. 

Pitch counts:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff: Kenney Fabian 95; Jaden Porter 35.
Bethune-Cookman: Edwin Sanchez 73; Andris Barroso 31; Jean Carlo Zambrano 39.

Day Two Preview

Thursday shifts the tournament into elimination baseball while the winners’ bracket begins to separate contenders. In Bracket A, Texas Southern and Jackson State meet in the morning elimination game, while Florida A&M and Southern play in the winners’ bracket. In Bracket B, Grambling State and Bethune-Cookman meet in an elimination game, while Alabama State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff meet in the winners’ bracket.

Thursday, May 21 — All games on SWAC TV

9 a.m. — Game 5, Bracket A Elimination Game
Texas Southern vs. Jackson State

Season series: Texas Southern and Jackson State split four total meetings, 2-2. Texas Southern won the conference series, 2-1, while Jackson State won the neutral-site meeting at the Andre Dawson Classic.

This is a quick turnaround for two teams that played emotional Day One games. Texas Southern used 168 total pitches, including 134 from Justin Mays, while Jackson State used three arms in a 10-inning loss. The early question is which staff can get length without overexposing the bullpen.

12 p.m. — Game 6, Bracket B Elimination Game
Grambling State vs. Bethune-Cookman
Season series: Bethune-Cookman won the regular-season series, 2-1, beating Grambling State 23-1 and 12-1 around a 7-2 Grambling win. 

Bethune-Cookman now has to quickly respond after falling as the top seed, while Grambling must reset after being shut out by Alabama State. BCU has less than 12-hours to make corrections. GSU needs to find their bats. The Wildcats used 143 pitches in the opener, and Grambling used only two pitchers, so the pitching plan could be a major factor.

3 p.m. — Game 7, Bracket A Winners’ Bracket Game
Florida A&M vs. Southern
Season series: Florida A&M won the regular-season series, 2-1. The Rattlers won 12-7 and 10-6, while Southern won the middle game, 9-5.

FAMU showed late-inning resilience, while Southern showed it can win even when the offense is held down for most of the day. The winner moves one step from the Bracket A final, and the matchup could come down to which bullpen is sharper after both teams used multiple arms Wednesday.

6 p.m. — Game 8, Bracket B Winners’ Bracket Game
Alabama State vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Season series: Alabama State won the regular-season series, 2-1, taking the first two games before UAPB answered with a 26-1 win in the finale.

Alabama State enters with momentum after a run-rule shutout, but UAPB comes in with the biggest win of the tournament so far. The Golden Lions’ upset of Bethune-Cookman gives them confidence, but they will need to manage the short turnaround after a late finish that stretched into Thursday morning.

Remaining Tournament Schedule

Friday, May 22
Game 9 — 9 a.m.: Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 7
Game 10 — 12 p.m.: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 8
Game 11 — 3 p.m.: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 9
Game 12 — 6 p.m.: Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 10

Saturday, May 23
Game 11b — 12 p.m.: Bracket A “if necessary” game
Game 12b — 3 p.m.: Bracket B “if necessary” game

Sunday, May 24

Championship Game — 1 p.m.: Bracket A Champion vs. Bracket B Champion

Winner-take-all SWAC Championship Game.