Dillard University Dominates Philander Smith in High-Scoring Baseball Showdown

LITTLE ROCK, AR– In a relentless display of offensive prowess, the Dillard University baseball team overwhelmed Philander Smith College in a high-scoring contest on April 22, 2025, at Lamar Porter Field. Dillard emerged victorious with a commanding 32-10 win, boosting their season record to 21-20 and 15-10 in conference play.

The game, which lasted 3 hours and 44 minutes, was a testament to Dillard's explosive batting lineup. The visitors from Louisiana tallied 32 runs on 22 hits with only a single error, while their Arkansas opponents managed 10 runs on 15 hits but were hampered by six costly errors.

Dillard's offensive onslaught was spearheaded by multiple standout performances. Angel Polanco led the charge with two home runs and five RBIs, while Jalen Ayers, Donovan Shead, and Jaylen Mateo each contributed significantly with home runs of their own. Shead was particularly impressive, hitting two homers and driving in three runs. Braylon Guerin also had a notable day at the plate, driving in four runs and securing two hits.

Philander Smith's defense struggled throughout the game, committing six errors, with E. Sheppard accounting for three of those. This lack of defensive stability compounded their woes against a relentless Dillard offense. Although Philander Smith showed moments of promise, particularly in the fourth inning when they briefly took a 7-5 lead, they were unable to sustain momentum as Dillard responded with a torrent of runs.

On the pitching front, Dillard employed a trio of pitchers. Carey Simon Jr. secured the win despite allowing six runs over 3.1 innings, while Daryl Tillman Jr. and Kaleb Gibson provided relief to stifle the Philander Smith offense in the latter innings. Philander Smith's pitchers, meanwhile, had a challenging day, with O. Martinez, B. Marcel, and J. Bost each struggling to contain Dillard's bats.

Philander Smith's offensive highlights included a two-run homer by C. Russey and a solo shot by D. Blackmon. Z. Dyer was a bright spot as well, contributing four hits and an RBI.

Despite the loss, Philander Smith showcased flashes of competitive spirit but ultimately fell to 3-29 on the season with a 3-22 mark in conference play.

The game, held at Lamar Porter Field with no recorded attendance, was overseen by umpires Chris Hickman (home plate), Corey Bowdin (first base), and Timothy Bowser (third base).

As the season progresses, Dillard will look to build on this emphatic victory, while Philander Smith aims to regroup and improve defensively in their upcoming matchups.

-Bleu Devils-