LYNCHBURG, Va. – For the first time in program history, Portland Pilots baseball saw two freshmen earn NCBWA Freshman All-American honors, with starting pitcher Will Labonte and closer Alex Via both making the second team.
 
This is the second year in a row the Pilots have had at least one player earn Freshman All-American honors and the fifth season under head coach Geoff Loomis. Labonte and Via are the ninth and 10^th players in program history to earn freshman All-American honors as well. Among the whole group of freshman All-Americans this year, only Portland and Texas had multiple make a squad.
 
Labonte was a top pitcher for the Pilots this season, earning All-WCC Second Team and All-WCC Freshman Team honors in 2026. Labonte threw 73.1 innings with a 2.82 ERA and a 3-2 record. Labonte's 2.82 ERA was fifth in the conference and 38^th nationally while also ranking second among WCC freshman and sixth nationally. Labonte's 73.1 innings were the most by a Pilot freshman since Grady Miller in 2017 and his ERA the best for a freshman since Travis Radke in 2012. He was on the watch list for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award earlier this season.
 
Via, meanwhile, broke the freshman record for saves in a season, racking up nine on the year. His nine saves were the most by any Pilot since 2024. He was second in the WCC in the category and 26^th nationally, leading all freshmen as well. His 21 appearances were the most by any Pilot pitcher as he posted a 2.59 ERA and a team-best opponent batting average of .174. Via earned All-WCC Freshman Team honors, garnered All-WCC Honorable Mention and was on the watch list for NCBWA Stopper of the Year earlier this season.
 
The Pilots finished the 2026 season at 27-25 overall, marking the fourth time in five seasons they've finished above .500 and that they've posted at least 25 wins or more.

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