Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Talladega College

Scoreboard

University logo

Tickets, donate, shop

Social icons

Base BCNE 2

Baseball

Three Tornadoes Named to Black College Nines’ Elite Teams

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a 28-win season, post-season accolades continue to roll in for the Talladega College baseball team as Wander Arias, Jose Franco, and Jose Santiago were named to the Black College Nines' Small School Elite teams. Arias and Franco received first-team nods, while Santiago was named to the second team. 
 
Arias, an Aragua, Venezuela import, posted 37 RBIs, 12 doubles, and 62 total hits. Arias also posted a .354 batting average, six home runs, 42 runs, 25 walks, and six stolen bases. The junior was named to the Champions of Character Team alongside earning First Team All-Southern States Athletic Conference at the designated hitter position.
 
Franco, a native of Santiago, Dominican Republic, notched a 7-3 record in 13 starts and 14 this season. Also named to the SSAC Freshman of the Year, 2023 Second Team All-Conference, and the All-Freshman Team, the pitcher has amassed a team-leading 65 strikeouts and 1.40 WHIP in 68 innings of work. He recorded a 4.37 ERA and held opponents to a .274 batting average.
 
Santiago racked up a .316 batting average in 152 at-bats with 48 hits, 18 walks, nine doubles, seven home runs, and five stolen bases on five attempts. Raised in Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, Santiago was also named SSAC Second Team All-Conference and to the Barnes & Noble College All-Academic Team.
 
A total of 28 HBCU baseball players have been named to the Black College Nines' Small School Elite teams for the 2023 season. First and second-team selections were made in the Small School Division (made up of NCAA Division II, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) baseball programs).
 
Selections were made based on statistical information and mid-season reports, including research provided by Black College Nines and both coaching staff and their sports information directors. 
 
Small School Division (NCAA Division II, NAIA, and NCCAA)
 
First Team
INF Joseph Esparza (Kentucky State University)
INF Khalil Robinson (Rust College)
INF Tahir Meulens (Bluefield State University)
INF Hill Corley (Albany State University)
UTL Justin Murray (Benedict College)
OF Joseph Smith (Savannah State University)
OF Lavoisier Fisher (Albany State University)
OF Jordan Varela- Payne (Bluefield State University)
C Jalin Thomas (Rust College)
DH Wander Arias (Talladega College)
P Jeremiah Reddell (Albany State University)
P Enrico Peele (Savannah State University)
P Jose Franco (Talladega College)
RP Max Charnin (Florida Memorial University)
 
Second Team
INF Jose Santiago (Talladega College)
INF Luis Ruiz (Florida Memorial University)
INF Payton Shubert (Edward Waters University)
INF Jaden Greenidge (Lincoln University, PA)
UTL Trey Rutledge (Miles College)
OF Tyler Fitch (Dillard University)
OF Jhan Carlos Javier (Wiley College)
OF Conner Fizer (West Virginia State University)
C Angel Figueroa (Philander Smith University)
DH Stone Teague (Rust College)
P Jared Showalter (Savannah State University)
P Alexander Davila (Edward Waters University)
P Jorge Guerra (Dillard University)
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Wander Arias

#32 Wander Arias

1B
6' 1"
Junior
R/R
Jose Santiago

#19 Jose Santiago

OF
6' 2"
Junior
R/R
Jose Franco

#10 Jose Franco

RHP
6' 0"
Freshman
R/R

Players Mentioned

Wander Arias

#32 Wander Arias

6' 1"
Junior
R/R
1B
Jose Santiago

#19 Jose Santiago

6' 2"
Junior
R/R
OF
Jose Franco

#10 Jose Franco

6' 0"
Freshman
R/R
RHP

Second ad