Wilberforce University's remarkable baseball season continues to earn national recognition. 

Four Bulldogs were named to the 2026 Black College Nines Small School Elite Teams, highlighted by freshman third baseman Junior Veras-Vasquez, who captured Black College Nines Freshman of the Year honors. The national awards were announced Sunday. 

Sophomore designated hitter Christopher Alcantara-Diaz headlined the Wilberforce selections with First Team recognition. Junior infielder Joe Mendy earned Second Team honors, while Veras-Vasquez and junior infielder Darius Woodson were both selected to the Third Team. 

The Bulldogs' four honorees tied Wiley University for the second-most selections among HBCU Athletic Conference programs. Only Talladega University placed more players on the team with six. 

"This recognition reflects the standard our players have worked to establish," said Wilberforce head baseball coach Roosevelt Barnes. "When this program returned four years ago, we talked about building something that could compete nationally. These young men have embraced that challenge every day, and it's rewarding to see their commitment recognized on a national stage. They've represented Wilberforce with pride, and I couldn't be happier for each of them." 

Black College Nines selected its postseason teams using statistical analysis, independent research conducted by the publication, analytics provided by A. Rod White of the National Scouting Bureau, and recommendations from coaching staffs and sports information offices across the country. 

Veras-Vasquez added another prestigious honor to an outstanding freshman campaign after also being named the HBCUAC Freshman of the Year. The Cincinnati native tied for second in the conference with 10 home runs while finishing fifth with 41 RBI. He slashed .326/.420/.617, collecting seven doubles and two triples along the way. 

Already a Third Team NAIA All-American, Alcantara-Diaz continued to add hardware to one of the nation's most decorated seasons. The HBCUAC Most Valuable Player and Hitter of the Year also earned First Team All-HBCUAC honors after producing one of the conference's most dangerous offensive seasons. He finished second in the league with 10 home runs, ranked third with 55 RBI and reached base at a remarkable rate while recording a hit in 26 of 35 games, including seven of the final eight regular-season contests. 

Mendy delivered his best baseball when the Bulldogs needed it most. The junior collected hits in 11 of his final 12 games, batting .394 with a .465 on-base percentage and .606 slugging percentage while totaling 10 doubles, two triples and three home runs. 

Woodson emerged as one of the conference's most complete hitters throughout the season. He led the HBCUAC with 16 doubles and posted an outstanding .411/.541/.581 slash line, consistently setting the tone for one of the conference's highest-powered offenses. 

Wilberforce closed the 2026 campaign with a 22-21 overall record, matching the program's upward trajectory with one of its most successful seasons since returning to competition. The Bulldogs finished just one victory shy of earning a berth in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, a sign that Barnes' program continues to establish itself among the NAIA's rising contenders.