ETTRICK, VA (April 30, 2021) –
The 2021 season was an extremely difficult and frustrating one for the fans, coaches, administration and most importantly the student – athletes of Virginia State University.

The season started on a high note as the Trojans swept Lincoln University (Pa.) by a total score of 26 – 11 over the three game series to make their record 3-0 to start the season. Senior Jeremiah Hardy, Sophomore Andrew Riddick and Freshman Robert Hatcher picked up their first wins of the season in the series. Freshman Daniel Dunn was able to record the first hit of his career in the third game of the series. Hardy is also responsible for recording the most strikeouts in a single game this season with nine in the first game of the season.

Two days later, the Bulldogs of Barton College beat VSU pretty badly by a score of 25-6. On the brighter side of things, Junior Carl Granderson, Senior Aaron Harris and Senior Cecil Henderson all recorded two hits in the mid – week matchup. In addition, this game created the emergence of Freshman Emmett Jefferson as tallied two hits and two runs batted in. Following the game, the Trojans record dropped to 3 – 1.

Bluefield State College started an undesirable skid for Virginia State, who lost three of the four series games by just a single point. Jefferson recorded four hits in games two and three of the series. Junior Nicholas Woolfolk had a great weekend on the bump; he relieved Hardy in the first game and allowed no hits while striking out one. A day later, he allowed just four hits and two earned runs in the 1 – 2 loss. After dropping the four game series, the Trojans record went to 3 – 5.

The next five games including a three – game series against Carolina University, a game against Mid – Atlantic Christian University and another game against Carolina University were all scratched. This created a 21 – day layoff before VSU took the field again.

Unfortunately, following the extended vacation, the Trojans had a date with the #7 ranked University of Mt. Olive Trojans. After hanging around in the beginning frames, UMO would go on to score in every inning except the eighth while shutting VSU out after the second inning to make the final score 2-17 and dropped the record down to 3-6.

For the second time in the season, the Trojans would have more than four games in a row canceled. The doubleheaders against Thomas Nelson College was no more, a doubleheader against Bluefield State was thrown out, a single game against Barton was done away with as well as a doubleheader against Mid – Atlantic Christian.

Even though the layoff was only 11 days this time, VSU would still come out flat, dropping their first game by a score of 3-6 to Salem international University. Sophomore Tyquon Wilkins pitched well in a relieving roll despite the loss as he went 3.1 innings while only allowing two hits and one walk. The next game VSU fans witnesses the first shut out of the season as Freshman Jarrett Norman allowed only two hits and sent four back to the dugout in the 6 – 0 victory. VSU and SIU would go on to split day two as well to bring the Trojans record to 5-8. Hardy batted a .416 in the series while driving in four.

With the cancellation of the last two games of the season, the record would remain 5-8 to end the 2021 season.


Season Leaders
Joshua Tayman led the team in batting average (.361), doubles (4) and RBI (14). Tayman recorded at least one hit in nine of the 12 games this season along with four multi – hit ball games. He was also perfect at second base as he had 19 putouts, 20 assists and turned seven double plays.

Jeremiah Hardy was able to help his team immensely on the mound and in the batter's box as he had the second best batting average on the team with a .333 while also maintaining a .407 slugging percentage. Hardy was also the ace for the starting pitching rotation as accumulated 20 strikeouts in just 21 innings pitched.

Cecil Henderson led the Trojans in on – base percentage (.588), walks (15) and runs (13) while maintaining a batting average of .323 and brought 10 runs in to score. Henderson was also versatile on the defensive side as he played the outfield for most of the season and showed fans he is also very skilled at the shortstop after taking over for Granderson in the Salem series who missed the remainder of the season following a hamstring injury against UMO. Henderson put 16 guys out and assisted on 11 outs on the season.

Emmett Jefferson showed why Coach Morgan was high on him at the beginning season. The rook showed pop as he maintained a batting average of .308 and hit the furthest double of the season. Jefferson was also perfect in Left Field with 16 putouts.

Senior Kevin Russell was effective on the base paths for VSU this season, as he was second on the team in runs (8) and walks (8).

Carl Granderson led the team in stolen bases this season with three while maintaining a .296 batting average.

Sophomore Chase Moore was pretty much a vacuum in Center Field with 25 putouts and two assist with no errors.

Robert Hatcher had a very productive time on the mound this season as he maintained a 3.46 ERA and allowed just eight hits on the season. Batters averaged a .186 against him as he gave up just five runs in two starts.

Tyquon Wilkins was the Trojans top reliever as he stepped in and maintained a 4.50 ERA while striking out six in 14.0 innings.