XULA is No. 1 in Black College Nines small-school poll

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana, playing baseball for the first time since 1960, climbed to No. 1 in the Black College Nines small-school HBCU rankings announced Thursday.

The website blackcollegenines.com publishes periodical rankings of the 16 large HBCUs (NCAA Division I members) and the 24 small HBCUs (NCAA Division II, NAIA and USCAA members). The website employs voters to rank the teams.

XULA, No. 3 in the previous two rankings, is 16-4 and won 12 of its last 13 games. Next will be a three-game home series against Mississippi University for Women at Wesley Barrow Stadium: a nine-inning game at 4:30 p.m. Friday and a doubleheader — two seven-inning games — at noon Saturday.

The HBCU small-school rankings:

1. XULA
2. West Virginia State
3. Savannah State
4. Albany State
5. Kentucky State
6. Miles
7. Bluefield State
8. Florida Memorial
9. Talladega
10. Rust