Edward Waters University’s first year as a full member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference was a success. And the Tigers’ winning streak continued on Tuesday, as baseball coach Reginald Johnson II earned his 300th career victory in an 8-4 triumph against Voorhees University in the opening game of a doubleheader.

Johnson, a native of Jacksonville, has been the coach at EWU since 2012, amassing a 231-191-1 record heading into the 2023 season. Prior to joining the SIAC, Johnson’s Tigers were among the best in the NAIA’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference, capturing the conference championship in 2015 after four straight 30-win seasons. Johnson was selected Small College Coach of the Year by BlackCollegeNines.com following the 2015 season.

Prior to concluding his playing career and pursuing his academics at Florida Gulf Coast and beginning his coaching career, Johnson had previously played at Edward Waters and Bethune-Cookman. EWU (15-17, 9-12 SIAC) took an early 3-0 lead in the Tuesday matchup between the Tigers due to RBIs from catchers Anthony Roman, Hugo Schoening, and Leonel Diaz.

After three innings, Voorhees fought back to lead 4-3, but Diaz hit a home run to tie it, and right fielder Dwanye Maduro singled second baseman John Nobles home to give Edward Waters the lead permanently.

home the top of the seventh, EWU scored three more runs thanks to a pass ball that allowed Maduro to score and a two-run double from left fielder Daquarius Thompkins that brought home Ferante Cowart and Leonel Garcia.

Relievers Gerald Perret and Darius Blasingane combined for four innings of hitless ball, allowing just one walk while Carson Hurst threw the opening three innings and earned the victory.