Philander Smith, Talladega, Wiley garner Week 10 HBCUAC Baseball Awards

NEW ORLEANS - Philander Smith University first baseman Noah Siedenschwarz wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Player of the Week. Outfielder Tyron Brickhill takes Freshman of the Week. Talladega College pitcher Georgio Emaildi captures Pitcher of the Week. Wiley University outfielder John Barajas earns Newcomer of the Week. They were honored for their performance between March 30 and April 5, the conference announced on Monday.

Siedenschwarz went 5-for-8 in two games against Dillard University. He hit two home runs, drove in six runs and scored four. He had a 1.375 slugging percentage for the week, helping the Panthers to two crucial HBCUAC victories which kept them in contention for the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championship. 

Emaildi threw seven innings and held the Bearcats to an unearned run on three hits and struck out seven, helping the Tornadoes clinch the series and a berth into the 2026 Hope Credit Union HBCUAC Baseball Championship. 

Brickhill scored four runs on three hits with five RBI to lead the Panthers to two victories over Dillard University last week. Most of his production came in the series opener, going 3-for-4 with three runs and five RBI. He scored a run in the finale. This is Brickhill's third weekly honor.

Barajas recorded three hits, scored three runs and drove in two in two games this week. He hit his fifth home run of the season in Monday's game against Nelson University, which gave the Wildcats a two-run lead. He recorded two hits and scored twice in Tuesday's victory over Arkansas Baptist. For the week, Barajas slugged 1.167. He is tied for second in the conference in home runs and leads the HBCUAC with a .692 slugging percentage. This is Barajas' third weekly honor.

Additional baseball weekly nominees: Estevan Baca (Wiley), Owen Branch (Philander Smith), Caleb Carter (Tougaloo), Kyrent Cole (Rust), Daniel de los Rios (Wiley), Jhemmal Geraldo (SUNO), Deekota Johnson (Wiley), Arvis Latting (Rust), Christopher Nunez (SUNO), Sebastian Pizarro (Talladega), Hunter Scott (Talladega), Kyler Shepherd (SUNO), Kyle Terry (Rust)

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.