Four TSU Baseball Standouts Earn Invites To HBCU All-Star Game

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Four TSU baseball student-athletes have been selected to participate in the second annual MBP HBCU All-American Game held in Atlanta on Friday at Truist Park at 6:30 p.m.

The showcase, which debuted in 2021, was created to support former legendary Major League Baseball star Henry “Hank” Aaron’s life-long passion to increase minority participation in baseball both on and off the field across Major League Baseball. In addition to the game, a youth clinic, homecoming experience, and home run derby will be held at the home of the Atlanta Braves.

TSU standouts Jeremy Gaines (UT) and Johnathon Thomas (OF) will play on Team Marquis Grissom while Gabriel Vasquez (1B) and Brian Williams (P) will play on Team Marvin Freeman.

Gaines earned second-team honors as a designated hitter after joining the team this past fall as a graduate student. The Chicago, Ill. native emerged as one of the top hitters in the nation after batting .400 and ranks top 10 nationally while also ranking top 10 in the SWAC in hits (70), doubles (16), on-base percentage (.502), and slugging percentage (.611).

Thomas, who also transferred in prior to the fall semester, leads the nation with 62 stolen bases in 53 games as he batted .345. The Fresno, Texas native also had 69 hits, 68 runs 16 doubles, five triples, nine home runs, and 42 RBI.

Vasquez was another newcomer to the program who also had a huge impact as he batted .363 while tying for the team lead with nine home runs. The first baseman from Dallas also scored 48 runs, tallied 67 RBI, 65 hits, 19 doubles, eight triples, and stole 21 bases.

Williams wrapped up his TSU career with 100 career strikeouts this past season while posting a 4-2 record. The Bryan, Texas native struck out 47 batters on the season as TSU’s normal Sunday starter.