A Season to Remember
Slade McCloud, the senior infielder for Tarleton State University, was selected to the NCAA Division I All-Central Region First Team, a testament to his dominant performance during the 2026 campaign.
McCloud was instrumental in the Texans’ sweep of the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament, delivering the program’s first Division I NCAA Regional championship and a series of upsets over Power 4 opponents, including a stunning victory over No. 2 nationally‑ranked Texas on March 17.
His .343 batting average placed him second on the team, while he topped the lineup with seven triples and 22 stolen bases. The senior also logged 24 multi‑hit games, earning a spot on the 2026 WAC All‑Tournament Team and a previous All‑WAC First Team nod from 2025.
Coach Mike McCasland praised McCloud’s leadership, noting that the team’s three wins over Power 4 schools and its historic regional breakthrough marked the most successful season for Tarleton State baseball since 1992.
First Team All‑Region honorees are eligible for ABCA/Rawlings All‑America recognition, and the 2026 All‑America squads will be announced on June 12, potentially extending McCloud’s accolades onto the national stage.
Tarleton State University, a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association, celebrated the milestone as a watershed moment for the program and its growing national reputation.