JACKSON, Miss. — Belhaven University’s baseball team received five selections to the 2026 CCS All-Conference teams, with four players earning first-team honors, according to school officials.
Parker Ryan, Austin Canale, Gunner Staten and John Wade were named to the first team. Owen Abney was selected to the second team, while senior Trey Smith was named to the CCS All-Sportsmanship Team. The players’ performances helped carry the team into the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the CCS Tournament.
Ryan, a senior catcher, earned his first All-Conference honor after batting .328 with six home runs and 27 RBIs. He also played a key role behind the plate in managing one of the league’s top pitching staffs. Canale, a sophomore infielder, also received his first career CCS honor. He led Belhaven with a .355 batting average, totaling 55 hits and 41 RBIs, ranking among the conference’s top ten in RBIs.
Gunner Staten, a sophomore pitcher, was recognized after pitching 53 innings with a 4.08 ERA and holding opponents to a .225 batting average, one of the better marks in the league. Wade, another sophomore, made his mark as one of the CCS’s top closers, posting a 1.26 ERA with eight saves, tied for second-most in NCAA Division III this season. Abney, a second baseman, hit .324 with five home runs and 35 RBIs, earning his second career All-Conference selection and his first since being named CCS Player of the Year in 2024.
Smith was honored for sportsmanship. Belhaven will look to carry its strong postseason momentum into the CCS Tournament. Fans can follow the team on Twitter and Instagram at @BelhavenBlazers or support athletics through Team Green Giving, officials said.
