A season of promise and setbacks
The 2026 Tulane Green Wave baseball team concluded its season with a 25‑31 record, a result that stripped the program of postseason play for the first time in more than ten years. The disappointment was palpable across the campus, where expectations had been high after a series of competitive showings in recent seasons.
Amid the collective disappointment, one bright spot emerged in the form of outfielder Jason Wachs. The junior was crowned Most Outstanding Outfielder, Most Outstanding Offensive Player and ultimately the team’s Most Valuable Player, a trio of honors that underscored his all‑around impact.
Wachs anchored the lineup with a .327 batting average, a .527 slugging percentage and a .453 on‑base rate, while also topping the squad in hits (66), runs (48), doubles (21), home runs (9) and RBIs (54). He started every game and appeared in all 56 contests, a durability that placed him among the few regulars to do so.
His offensive numbers extended to conference play, where he ranked tenth nationally in doubles and led the American Conference with 21 doubles, seven home runs and 11 conference‑only doubles. The award‑winning outfielder also contributed defensively, though the team’s infield faced its own challenges.
Catcher Hugh Pinkney and first baseman Trent Liolios, a Northwestern transfer, were praised for their steadfast work at the hot corner despite a season riddled with injuries. Pitcher Sam Larson, a junior forced into a starting role by the depleted rotation, emerged as the staff’s “bulldog,” delivering gritty outings that kept the team competitive.