May 8–10, 2025 | Riverwalk Stadium, Montgomery, AL
As the 2025 baseball season winds down, four HBCU programs converge in Montgomery, Alabama, for the Minority Baseball Prospect HBCU Final 4. Hosted at the historic Riverwalk Stadium, the tournament showcases Morehouse College, Dillard University, Tuskegee University, and Miles College—each bringing high-powered lineups and plenty of motivation into a round-robin showdown.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
(All times Eastern)
Thursday, May 8
Friday, May 9
Saturday, May 10
Four teams. Three days. One champion. The Minority Baseball Prospect's HBCU Final 4 Baseball Tournament will showcase the top HBCU programs battling for postseason pride and national visibility. As HBCU baseball fans ascend on Riverwalk Stadium, home of the Double-A Montgomery Biscuits, this showcase blends elite talent, HBCU pageantry, and professional-level competition. Below is a breakdown of each team, including season stats, standout players, and what to expect on the field.
Morehouse College Maroon Tigers (19–24 Overall | 12–21 SIAC)
The Maroon Tigers arrive in Montgomery with offensive firepower and a chip on their shoulder after just missing the SIAC Tournament. Despite a sub-.500 record, Morehouse led the SIAC in on-base percentage (.451) and was second in runs scored (386) and team batting average (.322).
Players to Watch:
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Elijah Pinckney (SS) – A national breakout candidate, Pinckney leads the team with a blistering .426 average, a .616 OBP, and 24 stolen bases. He's the engine of Morehouse's offense and a top pro prospect.
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Robert Robinson (C/IF) – Batting .343 with 7 HR and 44 RBI, Robinson combines power, patience (42 walks), and defense. His leadership behind the plate is key.
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Raymond Jenkins (OF) – With 7 home runs, 42 RBI, and 18 steals, Jenkins is the team's most complete threat. He drives in runs and stretches extra bases.
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James Thorpe (OF) – An underrated slugger, Thorpe has crushed 9 home runs in limited at-bats (.353), providing big bat potential in the middle of the order.
Pitching Outlook:
The team ERA sits at 7.93, but freshman starters Julian Goodman (4.32 ERA, 50 IP) and Ian Makle (4.31 ERA) have shown poise in key outings. The bullpen has been erratic, but if the Tigers can get five solid innings from their starters, the bats can carry the rest.
Dillard University Bleu Devils (26–23 Overall | 19–11 HBCUAC)
Fresh off a semifinal run in the HBCUAC Tournament, Dillard brings the tournament's most consistent offensive attack. The Bleu Devils posted a .330 team batting average and slugged 28 home runs with an eye-popping .452 team OBP.
Players to Watch:
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Angel Polanco (1B/3B) – Arguably the tournament's most feared bat: .413 average, 9 HR, 96 total bases, and a .696 slugging percentage.
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Braylon Guerin (OF) – A spark plug atop the lineup, Guerin leads the team with 62 hits, a .419 average, and 23 stolen bases.
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K'Wality Williams (2B) – A contact hitter with speed and clutch ability, Williams hit .333 with 31 RBI and a .464 OBP.
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Derrald Moore Jr. (SS) – A table-setter with power-speed combo: 43 hits, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 HR, 42 stolen bases.
Pitching Outlook:
While Dillard's staff ERA is 7.37, their top arms offer control and competitiveness:
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Kejuan Burnett (5.68 ERA, 56 K in 57 IP) is the ace.
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Dontre Henry (7.29 ERA, 6–3) leads the team in wins but allows a lot of baserunners (80 hits in 58 IP).
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Landin Tircuit (2.13 ERA, 3–1, 2 saves) is a high-leverage bullpen weapon.
Tuskegee University Golden Tigers (19–31 Overall | 15–18 SIAC)
Tuskegee's season has been defined by aggressive base running and scrappy offense. They led the tournament field with 223 stolen bases, causing havoc for opposing catchers. Their .298 team average is bolstered by timely hitting and multi-base threats.
Players to Watch:
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Devon Lee (INF/P) – A true two-way talent: .340 average, 46 RBI, 23 SB and 5 HR. He's also a key bullpen arm with a 5.06 ERA and 3 saves.
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Ryan Morrow (C/OF) – One of the best all-around hitters (.346, 42 RBI, 22 SB), Morrow brings veteran leadership and power.
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Scott Williams (OF) – A late-season surge pushed his average to .331 with 6 HR and a .603 slugging mark.
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James Slaughter (UTL) – A .361 hitter who went 45-for-48 in stolen bases this year—he's a nightmare on the basepaths.
Pitching Outlook:
Pitching has been inconsistent, with a staff ERA of 8.82. The Tigers will lean on innings fromMikelle Mason (70.2 IP) and Amare Morgan (61.1 IP). Defensive miscues (89 team errors) have often extended innings, so clean fielding is critical to their success.
Miles College Golden Bears (22–26 Overall | 20–13 SIAC)
The most balanced team in the field, Miles finished second in the SIAC West and boasts a solid combination of hitting, speed, and starting pitching. Their .277 team average doesn't leap off the page, but they make up for it with aggressive baserunning (177 SB) and timely power.
Players to Watch:
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Nick Copen (C/P) – A do-it-all leader: .435 average, 36 RBI, 4 HR, and also doubles as their No. 1 pitcher (5–6, 4.90 ERA, 68 IP).
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Trey Rutledge (OF) – Table-setter with 63 runs and 31 stolen bases while batting .336. He's one of the most electric players in the tournament.
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Brandon Leroy (INF) – .297 average, 33 RBI, and a solid defender behind the plate or in the infield.
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Camden Matthews (UTL/P) – A dual-threat player: .291 average, 32 RBI, and 3–1 record on the mound with a 5.40 ERA and 37 strikeouts.
Pitching Outlook:
Miles has had the most effective pitching staff in the tournament field, with a team ERA of 7.45. Copen, Matthews, and Mason Kirby (5.45 ERA)form a serviceable rotation. Their bullpen, however, is vulnerable in the late innings.
Morehouse vs. The Competition
Here is a detailed Morehouse vs. Each Opponent analysis for the upcoming Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) HBCU Final 4 Tournament, based on all 2025 head-to-head games:
Morehouse vs. Dillard
Record: 0–1
Score: 4–11 (Feb. 2, 2025)
Summary:
Morehouse held a 4–3 deficit through five innings before Dillard erupted for five runs in the sixth and two more in the eighth. Pitching command and defensive lapses doomed the Maroon Tigers, who walked 11 batters and committed 2 errors. Dillard stole 7 bases and hit 5 doubles in a relentless offensive effort.
Top Morehouse Performers:
Top Dillard Performers:
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Jaylen Mateo: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, double, 2 runs
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Maurice Thompson: 2 RBI, double
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Renard Smith: 2-for-5, 2 RBI, double
Key Issue: Walks and wild pitches. Morehouse pitchers issued 11 walks and 4 HBP.
Morehouse vs. Tuskegee
Record: 1–2
Game 1: W 15–8 (Mar. 1)
Morehouse mashed 16 hits, including home runs from Pinckney, Robinson, and Jenkins. Julian Goodman picked up the win in relief, while the Maroon Tigers ran wild with aggressive base stealing.
Game 2: L 5–7 (Mar. 1)
Despite four hits from Pinckney and another HR from Robinson, Morehouse couldn't hold off a late Tuskegee rally.
Game 3: L 7–17 (Mar. 2)
A blowout loss defined by poor control (12 walks), 3 errors, and dominant production from Scott Williams (7 RBI), Pratt, and Morrow.
Morehouse Standouts Across Series:
Tuskegee Key Players:
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Scott Williams: 2 HR, 10+ RBI
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Ryan Morrow: 7 hits, multiple XBH
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John Saffold: HR, 3+ SB
Key Issue: Inconsistent pitching and defensive execution—Morehouse surrendered 32 runs in 3 games.
Morehouse vs. Miles
Record: 1–2
Game 1: L 1–4 (Feb. 22)
Despite outhitting Miles, Morehouse couldn't convert scoring chances. Leroy and Licastro homered for Miles.
Game 2: L 2–4 (Feb. 23)
Morehouse racked up 11 hits but stranded 11 runners. Jenkins homered, but Miles' staff escaped multiple jams.
Game 3: W 8–1 (Feb. 23)
Noah Grayson pitched a gem (6 IP, 5 K), while Thorpe homered and Pinckney went 3-for-4 with a 2B and 3 RBI in a decisive win.
Morehouse Highlights:
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Pinckney: 5-for-11, 3 RBI, 2B
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Thorpe: HR, 4 RBI
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Robinson: 3 hits, 2B
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Grayson: 6 IP, 1 ER in Game 3
Miles Standouts:
Key Issue: Morehouse left over 20 runners on base in the series.
Head-to-Head Summary Table
| Opponent |
Record |
Runs Scored |
Runs Allowed |
Notes |
| Dillard |
0–1 |
4 |
11 |
Walked 11, gave up 5 XBH, struggled vs. pressure offense |
| Tuskegee |
1–2 |
27 (9.0/gm) |
32 (10.7/gm) |
Excellent offense, pitching collapsed in Game 3 |
| Miles |
1–2 |
11 (3.7/gm) |
9 (3.0/gm) |
Tight series; pitching was good, but offense stranded runners |
Key Takeaways for Morehouse Heading into the HBCU Final 4:
- Morehouse's lineup is postseason-ready, especially with McLean, Jenkins, Thorpe, and Robinson heating up.
- However, pitching depth and control must improve. The team issued 22 walks in 3 games vs. Dillard and Tuskegee.
- Dillard's aggressive baserunning and plate patience gave Morehouse the most trouble—clean defense and strike-throwing are critical.
- Against Miles, Morehouse proved it could win with strong pitching and timely hitting. That formula must repeat in Montgomery.
- Strengths: Middle of the order (Pinckney, Robinson, Jenkins, Thorpe) is capable of exploding. They hit a combined 7 HRs in these matchups.
- Weaknesses: Pitching control and fielding under pressure (especially vs. Dillard and Tuskegee). Combined 16 errors and 30+ walks in 7 games.
This year's HBCU Final 4 promises high scoring, fast-paced baseball with some of the best Black college talent in the nation. Morehouse and Dillard enter with the most potent offenses, but both Tuskegee and Miles have the speed and grit to win games late. With MLB scouts in attendance and postseason pride on the line, every pitch counts. If Morehouse shores up its bullpen and continues swinging the bat well, it has the firepower to win the HBCU Final 4. However, limiting free bases will be the difference between a championship or playing in the consolation game. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.
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About Minority Baseball Prospects
Minority Baseball Prospects (MBP) is a national organization dedicated to increasing exposure, access, and opportunities for minority baseball players across the country. MBP provides player development, showcases, national tournaments, and media platforms specifically focused on elevating Black and minority athletes at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. The HBCU Final 4 is part of MBP's mission to spotlight HBCU baseball programs and create meaningful experiences for student-athletes at historically Black institutions. For more information, visit www.minoritybaseball.com.
