The Portland Pilots baseball program celebrated a watershed moment as two of its newest players were named Freshman All‑Americans by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Historic Freshman Honors
Will Labonte, a right‑handed starter, posted a 2.82 earned run average over 73.1 innings, a performance that placed him fifth in the West Coast Conference and 38th nationally among all pitchers.
He also earned All‑WCC Second Team and All‑WCC Freshman Team honors, highlighting his immediate impact.
Alex Via broke the freshman saves record with nine conversions, appearing in 21 games and maintaining a 2.59 ERA while limiting opponents to a .174 batting average.
Via’s nine saves were the most by any Pilot since 2024, and his 21 appearances topped the team for any pitcher.
Season Outlook
The Pilots finished the 2026 season with a 27‑25 record, marking the fourth time in five seasons that the team finished above .500 and underscoring a sustained upward trajectory.
Coach Geoff Loomis praised the contributions of the freshmen, noting that their early success has set a benchmark for future recruiting classes.
The achievements also reflect the broader support network, including the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and the College Baseball Foundation, both of which have highlighted the Pilots’ rise.