Freshman right-hander Will Labonte of the Portland Pilots has been recognized once again this summer, earning Freshman All-American honors from Baseball America for the third time.
A Historic Season for the Pilots
The accolade marks a milestone for the program, as Labonte becomes the first Pilots player in school history to collect three postseason All-American selections within a single year.
His freshman campaign was defined by durability and consistency, as he logged 73.1 innings while posting a 2.82 earned-run average and a 3-2 record. Those numbers placed him fifth in the West Coast Conference and 38th nationally among all pitchers.
The recognition extends beyond Baseball America; earlier this month the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named him to its first team, while Perfect Game placed him on its second team. He also earned spots on the All-WCC Freshman Team and the All-WCC Second Team, underscoring his all-around impact.
Portland Pilots concluded the 2026 season with a 27-25 record, the fourth time in the past five years that the program has finished above the .500 mark, suggesting a sustained upward trajectory.
Labonte’s performance draws comparison to past Pilots standouts; the most recent comparable freshman was Travis Radke, whose 2012 ERA remains a benchmark for excellence in the program.
Coaches and analysts alike see the freshman’s trajectory as a promising sign for the future of the Pilots’ pitching staff, and his continued development will be a focal point for the program’s recruiting and strategic planning.