COLUMBIA, Mo. - The College Sports Communicators (CSC) have announced the 2026 Academic All-America® Baseball Team recipients. The 2026 Academic All-America® Teams, selected by the CSC, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field or court and in the classroom.

Dylan Carlton and Zac Fruend were both named as CSC Academic All-America® First Team recipients. This marks the first time that either athlete has been awarded this honor, as Carlton and Fruend were previously named Academic All-District®.

There were 12 NAIA baseball players named to the First Team with an average GPA of 3.80.

During the 2026 season, Carlton made 42 appearances for the Cougars where he finished the season with 49 hits and 39 RBI on a .322 batting average. Carlton added 10 doubles, five triples, and eight home runs. He earned multiple awards and honors in that of CSC Academic All-District, AMC First Team All-Conference, AMC Academic All-Conference, and NAIA Scholar-Athlete.

Fruend played and started in 44 games for the Cougars this season, recording 72 hits, 46 RBI, 17 home runs, 17 doubles, and three triples. He was named NAIA Third Team All-American, CSC Academic All-District, NAIA Scholar Athlete, AMC First Team All-Conference, and AMC Academic All-Conference.