Kentucky State’s Joe Crisp Tosses No-Hitter - Defeats Clark-Atlanta University 3–0

Kentucky State in the winner’s circle after defeating Clark-Atlanta University 3–0 in a pitchers duel February 16, 2019. Photo ©2019 Harold Michael Harvey

They have been playing baseball since 1888 at Clark-Atlanta University. In fact, the first matchup between two Black college teams pitted Clark College against Atlanta University. The two schools consolidated 100 years later to become Clark-Atlanta University. Perhaps, few games have been as exciting as the Kentucky State University match against Clark-Atlanta University on February 16, 2019.

Joe Crisp, at five feet and nine inches on a 155-pound frame, tossed his first collegiate no-hitter, striking out nine and winning the game 3–0. The 20-year-old married computer science major was in control of the game from the first pitch until the last.

Joe Crisp was working his magic in Atlanta tonight. He tossed his first collegiate no-hitter in a 3–0 win over Clark-Atlanta University, February 16, 2019. Photo ©2019 Harold Michael Harvey

“I am very proud of my guys,” Head Baseball Coach Rob Henry said following his team’s victory. The Thoroughbreds are undefeated with four wins and one tie.

Crisp, matched in a pitcher’s duel with CAU’s John Nettles, said he was prepared to pitch as many innings as it took to secure the win for KSU. In last season’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Tournament, Crisp pitched 18 innings in three days. In that tournament, KSU lost the…