COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College baseball team is ranked fifth in the 2021 Small School preseason poll by Black College Nines.

The Tigers were 6-5 last season before the season was cut short and return most of their team from a squad that averaged nine runs per game. Outfielder Bradon O'Connor returns along with shortstop Christopher Harper. O'Connor led the NCAA in stolen bases and stolen bases per game, while Harper led the team with three home runs and 19 RBIs. Also returning is outfielder Myqueress McGrier, who led the nation in on-base percentage. Newcomers expected to make an immediate impact are outfielder Ryan Chesney and utility/pitcher Keeshawn Royal. Royal will join a veteran pitching staff that includes Christian Moore (2-0, 4.96 ERA), Jorge Maez (1-0, 2.35 ERA) and Murrell Martin (1-0, 19 strikeouts in 34 batters faced).

Lane College sits atop the HBCU Preseason Small School Poll, made up of NCAA Division II schools as well as those in the National  Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).

The Dragons  are followed by Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) conference rival Kentucky State University and DII Independent, No. 3 Virginia State University.

Lane started the 2020 season unranked,  winning it's way into the No. 1 ranking and was crowned small school HBCU baseball national champion, the program's first national title. Lane College finished the regular season with a 10-6 overall record.

Black College Nines is dedicated to preserving the tradition of baseball at historically black colleges and universities with our coverage of HBCU Baseball.

Small School Division
 1. Lane College
 2. Kentucky State
 3. Virginia State
 4. Jarvis Christian
 5. Benedict College
 6. Bluefield State
 7. Miles College
 8. Savannah State
 9. Florida Memorial
10. Edward Waters