Baseball

Five HCU Baseball Players Earn 2026 Southland Conference All-Academic Honors

Senior Luke Bard and four teammates recognized for athletic and academic excellence

The Southland Conference announced its 2026 All-Academic team, recognizing five members of the HCU baseball program for their combined performance in the classroom and on the diamond.

Standout Performers

Senior catcher Luke Bard paced the team with a .345 batting average, adding 27 runs scored, 22 RBI and 10 doubles, underscoring his all-around impact.

Reliever Louis Castano turned in a 3.88 ERA over 53.1 innings, striking out 58 batters while posting a 4-3 record and a solitary save.

Redshirt junior Levi Castilleja led the Huskies with 12 doubles and a .941 OPS, batting .326 and delivering four home runs, 27 RBI and 22 runs.

Shortstop Nico DeFazio, in his first year with the Huskies, posted a .278 average, scored 26 runs, drove in 22, and contributed four doubles and three homers.

First baseman Katcher Halligan closed his collegiate career with five home runs, nine doubles, 36 RBI and 31 runs scored, while maintaining a .997 fielding percentage and a team-high four sacrifice flies.

Academic Commitment

Each honoree has maintained a rigorous academic schedule, balancing demanding coursework with a full slate of games, a testament to the program’s emphasis on developing student-athletes.

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