ARLINGTON, Texas | Alabama A&M University student-athletes Tristan Curless and Brycen Hammonds have been selected on Tuesday to compete in the HBCU Swingman Classic, presented by T-Mobile and powered by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation.
 
The HBCU Swingman Classic is an annual All-Star experience for baseball student-athletes from Division-I programs at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU). The philanthropic & educational event, which will center around an HBCU "All-Star Game," will be held during 2024 MLB All-Star Week on Friday, July 12, at Globe Life Field, home of the World Champion Texas Rangers.
 
Curless, who earned Black College Nines Second-Team honors, led the Bulldogs in numerous categories, including batting average (.327), home runs (nine), RBI (47), hits (55) and doubles (14). He played in and started in all 47 games for the Maroon and White, scoring 36 times and had one triple. On the base paths, he went 8-of-9 in the stolen base department.
 
The Amarillo, Texas native was just as effective on the mound, appearing in 10 games. Curless posted a team-best 0.57 ERA in 15.2 innings, fanning 18 and registering a team-high three saves, along with a 2-0 record.
 
Hammonds led the Bulldogs in numerous categories last season, including hits (55), triples (two) and runs scored (37). In addition, he was second in batting (.316), while recording seven doubles, two homers and drove in 32. On the stolen base paths, Hammonds went 18-of-20.
 
The Madison, Ala. native registered a season-high nine putouts against Alabama State and a season-best four hits against Tuskegee. He also posted two doubles against Tuskegee and drove in a season-high three against Alabama State.
 
The HBCU Swingman Classic will highlight the history and legacy of HBCU baseball programs while also providing 50 HBCU players with the opportunity to showcase their talent on a national stage. The student-athletes will be selected by a committee that will include YDF Ambassador & Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. alongside representatives from MLB and MLBPA, as well as scouts.
 
For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics).