NORTHPORT, AL – The Wilberforce University baseball team kept its postseason hopes alive Sunday, splitting a pair of games at the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championships.

GAME ONE: #E1 TALLADEGA 14, #E3 WILBERFORCE 1

Wilberforce managed just two hits in the opener, as top-seeded Talladega sent the Bulldogs to the losers bracket with a 14-1 decision.

Singles from Junior Veras-Vasquez and Amir Bergen — the latter driving in Wilberforce's lone run — accounted for the entirety of the Bulldogs' offense.

Talladega seized control early, plating six runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looking back.

Starter Andres Anez (2-6) took the loss, allowing nine earned runs on nine hits over three innings while striking out three.

GAME TWO: #E3 WILBERFORCE 14, #E4 VOORHEES 2

Wilberforce responded in emphatic fashion, erupting for 12 runs in the third inning to eliminate Voorhees and stay alive in the tournament.

Every Bulldog in the lineup played a role in the decisive frame.

Keith Smith, Jr. ignited the rally with a bunt single, followed by a base hit from Beau Spears. Darius Woodson broke the scoreless tie with his second home run of the season, setting the tone for the offensive explosion.

Christopher Alcantara-Diaz drew a walk and later moved into scoring position on a Joe Mendy sacrifice bunt. After Voorhees recorded a fly out in an attempt to limit the damage, Wilberforce capitalized with three consecutive walks to force in another run.

Smith, Jr. delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a bases-clearing single, and after another Spears walk, Woodson added an RBI single to extend the lead.

Alcantara-Diaz worked his second walk of the inning, paving the way for Mendy's three-run double. Veras-Vasquez capped the scoring with an RBI single, completing the 12-run outburst.

Kevin Hopkin (3-1) earned the win in relief, allowing one unearned run on two hits with a strikeout. Starter Jalen Payne was sharp in his three innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out three.

WHAT'S NEXT

With the win, Wilberforce advances to face #E2 Stillman at 3 p.m. EST on Monday. Stillman enters the matchup following an 11-6 win over #W4 Dillard.