Belhaven Pitcher John Wade Named D3Baseball.com First Team All-American

JACKSON, Miss. — Belhaven University pitcher John Wade has been named a first-team All-American by D3baseball.com, the organization announced Tuesday. Wade is the only NCAA Division III relief pitcher to earn first-team honors this season and is one of five relief pitchers nationwide to receive All-American recognition.

The Houma, Louisiana, native played a pivotal role in Belhaven’s successful season, which included a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Wade finished with eight saves, tied for the Coastal Collegiate Sports Conference lead and among the national leaders for much of the year. He posted a 2.08 ERA over 34.2 innings, struck out 44 batters and held opponents to a .205 batting average.

Wade’s performances in high-pressure situations helped the Blazers secure critical wins during conference play and the postseason. He recorded his eighth save during a series sweep of LaGrange in April, ranking second in Division III at the time. Wade also contributed key outs in the CCS Tournament as Belhaven fought through the elimination bracket to reach the conference championship series.

This season, Wade was named first-team All-CCS and received D3baseball.com All-Region VI honors earlier this week. The Blazers, ranked as high as No. 4 in the D3baseball.com Top 25 — the highest ranking in program history — finished with 31 wins and advanced to the CCS Championship Series for the second consecutive year.

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