Philander Smith, SUNO, Huston-Tillotson capture Week 8 HBCUAC Baseball Awards

NEW ORLEANS - Philander Smith University outfielder and pitcher Tyron Brickhill wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Baseball Player and Freshman of the Week. Southern University at New Orleans pitcher Christopher Nunez garners Pitcher of the Week. Huston-Tillotson University pitcher Weston Bailey claims Newcomer of the Week. They were recognized for their performance between March 16-22, the conference announced on Monday.

Brickhill went 6-for-9 in the three-game series against Tougaloo College and 7-for-13 overall. For the week, he hit three home runs with eight RBI and scored five runs. He also started on the mound in the finale and struck out six in four innings. His performance helped the Panthers sweep the series against Tougaloo and stay in contention for the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championship.

Nunez went seven innings Saturday against Huston-Tillotson — the second-best team in the West Division — allowing just 2 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, and striking out four on 85 pitches in a 2-0 complete game shutout. His performance helped the Knights win the series and improve to 10-9 on the season.

Bailey struck out seven batters en route to a complete-game conference victory at SUNO this weekend. He has won his last four starts.

Additional baseball weekly nominees: Estevan Baca (Wiley), Daniel de los Rios (Wiley), Manuel Duran (Voorhees), Jhemmal Geraldo (SUNO), Adrian German (Huston-Tillotson), Jaiden Godette (Voorhees), Rashad Hutchings (Voorhees), Armando Jackson (Talladega), Chance Jaubert (Oakwood), Dylan Jimenez (SUNO), Payton Johnson (Huston-Tillotson), Ethan Jones (Wiley), Amir Mason (Wiley), Eli Payne (Talladega), Angel Ramos (Talladega), Gavin Rehorn (Stillman), John Roland (Stillman), Khalil Rufus (Tougaloo), Bryce Sanchez (Huston-Tillotson), Derrick Sanders (Oakwood), Graelan Shaffer (Tougaloo), Aaditya Sur (Philander Smith), Chase Varnado (Tougaloo), Dewinel Vazquez Oquendo (Talladega)

2026 HBCUAC Baseball Players of the Week

About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.