ATLANTA, GA | Morehouse College standout infielder Elijah Pinckney has been named to the Black College Nines Elites Small School Second Team for the 2025 season, the organization announced this week .
Pinckney, a junior shortstop hailing from Morningside, Maryland, capped off a phenomenal season at Morehouse by leading the Small School division—comprised of NCAA Division II, NAIA, and NCCAA programs—with exceptional offensive and defensive metrics. Over 40 games, he posted a stellar .407 batting average, an on-base percentage nearly reaching .600, and slugged .618, culminating in a robust 1.217 OPS. Pinckney drew 51 bases-on-balls, ranking him ninth in NCAA Division II, while being hit by 11 pitches. His .599 on-base percentage ranked second in NCAA Division II.
The Morehouse Maroon Tiger was also a force on the basepaths, swiping 26 bases in 29 attempts, and anchored the infield with a .982 fielding percentage across 167 chances, contributing to 20 double plays
Morehouse College head coach Antonio Grissom praised Pinckney's all-around excellence: "Elijah is the kind of player every coach dreams of having. His work ethic, skill set, and leadership define what it means to be a Maroon Tiger."
In addition to the Second Team accolade, Pinckney further elevated his profile by earning a selection to the 2025 Minority Prospects HBCU All-Star Baseball Game at Atrium Health Park in Kannapolis, North Carolina He started at second base before shifting to shortstop, where he put in a flawless defensive showing with two putouts and two assists
Black College Nines bases their Elite selections on a combination of statistics, mid-season performance, and input from coaches and sports information directors Pinckney's inclusion underscores his status as one of the top talents emerging from small-school HBCU baseball this spring.
As he enters the summer showcasing his talents on the All-Star stage, Pinckney and Morehouse College remain hopeful that his breakout performance will continue into next season and beyond. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com.
