Knights Baseball set for battle against crosstown rival

Knights Baseball set for battle against crosstown rival
March 19, 2025
NEW ORLEANS [March 19, 2025} -- SUNO Knights Baseball is riding a wave of dominant play into Wednesday's matchup against crosstown rival Xavier University. The Knights enter the game 12-9 overall and 10-2 in HBCU Athletic Conference play, putting them in first in the HBCUAC West Division and second overall in the conference.
 
Last time the two teams played, the Gold Rush defeated the Knights 19-4, but this is a different team, SUNO Head Coach Olen Parker, Jr. said. "We lost four all-conference players, but we focused on not just replacing the players in numbers, but improving our production offensively and defensively. We made every effort to bring in high IQ players who would leave it all on the field every game, and we've done that this season."
 
The Knights' offense is being led by third baseman Damian Lantigua, who is No. 2 in the HBCUAC, hitting .455. Miles Bowens is No. 5 in the conference with five homeruns this year.
 
The Knights pitching corps has held opponents at bay, striking out a No. 12 nationally ranked 105 batters, while opponents are held to a .286 batting average. As a team, the Knights have knocked in 131 RBIs and have amassed 178 hits. They are batting .313 as a team and reach base at a clip of .436. 
 
First pitch against XULA is set for 6 p.m. CDT. Fans can follow the game play-by-play online and can watch the game on SUNO Knights TV.