For the first time since 2011 and the second time in program history, an HBCU National Championship will reside in Jacksonville, Florida as Edward Waters defeated Kentucky State, 3-2 in the Championship Game of the Tyson Foods Black College World Series at Riverwalk Stadium on Saturday evening.
Edward Waters took a two-run lead ain the top of the 2nd inning with an RBI single from John Nobles and an RBI triple from Keilin Washington to give them a 2-0 lead.
The Thorobreds cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the 3rd inning with an RBI sacrifice fly to cut the lead in half at 2-1.
The two teams went scoreless until the top of the 4th inning, when Nelsido Nunez came through an RBI single to provide what would later turn out to be an important insurance run.
An RBI bunt single from KSU in the bottom of the 6th inning would once again cut the Edward Waters lead back down to one at 3-2.
The Tigers pitching a defense would carry them through, working out of several critical jams down the stretch of the game. Most notable in the bottom half of the 8th inning, when the Thorobreds had bases loaded with just one out. The threat was shut down on the strength of a 6-3 double play to preserve the EWU lead at 3-2.
Freshman closer Caden Hutchinson was called upon to close things out for the Tigers and clinch the championship. Hutchinson was able to induce three consecutive flyball outs, including the final one, which settled into the waiting glove of Washington to send the Tigers into a frenzy and solidify its claim as the best HBCU baseball team in the country.
In his final apperance for Edward Waters in his career, Keilin Washington, who was named the Tyson Foods Black College World Series Most Outstanding Player, led EWU offensively, going 1-for-3 with a triple, an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Nelsido Nunez, Anthony Roman, Adrian Laro, and John Nobles earned the remaining four hits for the Tigers in the contest.
Sophomore pitcher Austin James earned the victory for the Tigers on the mound, going 5.0 innings, allowing just one earned run, and six strikeouts, while Caden Hutchinsonearned the save for EWU.
Edward Waters also clinched its first winning season in four years, wrapping up their championship year with a 28-27 overall record. The Tigers conclude their stint as members of the NAIA and will look forward to competing under the NCAA Division II banner as members of the SIAC.
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