NORTHPORT, Ala. – The middle of the Wilberforce lineup delivered in a big way, powering the Bulldogs to a 13-10 victory over Southern University at New Orleans in the opening round of the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championship.

Joe Mendy, Junior Veras-Vasquez, and Daunte Ward – the heart of the order – combined for a dominant performance, going 9-for-14 with three home runs, seven runs scored, and 11 RBI. Two of those bombs detonated off the bats of Ward, who went 4-for-5, two runs scored, and five RBI.  

Mendy was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored and three RBI, while Veras-Vasquez added a home run, two runs scored, and three RBI.

Trailing 6-4 in the fifth inning, Ward delivered the game's turning point with a two-out, three-run home run that scored Christopher Alcantara-Diaz and Mendy, giving Wilberforce a lead it would not relinquish.

The Bulldogs continued their two-out surge in the sixth. After Alcantara-Diaz reached on an error, Mendy drove in Keith Smith Jr. with a single before Veras-Vasquez followed with a two-run blast to extend the lead.

Wilberforce added insurance with an RBI single in the seventh and Ward's second home run of the game in the eighth.

Ward also closed the door on the mound, earning his third save of the season. Entering in the ninth with the bases loaded and no outs, he allowed two runs to score on a throwing error and wild pitch before settling in to record two flyouts and a strikeout to secure the win.

Juan Gomez (5-3) earned the victory, allowing four earned runs (seven total) on eight hits over eight innings while striking out five.

With the win, Wilberforce (20-19) advances to face East Division top seed Talladega at 11 a.m. Sunday.