A Milestone for the Pilots Program
Freshman right‑hander Will Labonte of the Portland Pilots was recently selected to the Perfect Game First Team Freshman All‑American roster, a distinction that underscores a breakout season for the young pitcher.
Labonte joins an exclusive club as the first Pilots player ever to capture more than one freshman All‑American honor, having also earned NCBWA Freshman All‑American recognition earlier in the week.
His performance was highlighted by 73.1 innings pitched, a 2.82 earned‑run average and a 3‑2 record, numbers that rank among the best freshman showings in program history.
Stat Sheet Highlights
The Pilots finished the 2026 campaign with a 27‑25 overall record, marking their fourth season above .500 in the past five years and providing a solid foundation for future competitiveness.
Labonte’s season also brought him onto the watch list for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award, while his defensive accolades included All‑WCC Second Team and All‑WCC Freshman Team honors.
The achievement builds on a legacy of excellence, recalling past standouts such as Grady Miller, who logged the most innings by a freshman in 2017, and Travis Radke, whose 2012 ERA remains the benchmark for first‑year pitchers in the program.