Hokie ClubLYNCHBURG, Va. – Compiling one of the Virginia Tech baseball program’s finest rookie seasons on record, infielder Ethan Ball was named to the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division I Freshman All-America Second Team, as announced by the organization on Monday.
One of 34 national honorees heralded by the NCBWA this season, Ball became Virginia Tech’s 12th recognized Freshman All-American and the fifth such mention to come through the program during John Szefc’s head coaching tenure in Blacksburg. Within the history of the NCBWA’s award presentation, Ball marked the Hokies’ fifth selection to date, joining standout rookies Mark Zagunis (2012), Gavin Cross (2021), Carson DeMartini (2022) and Drue Hackenberg (2022).
Ball was one of five carryovers from the 2026 ACC All-Freshman Team who garnered Freshman All-America praise from the NCBWA, sharing alongside shortstop Jett Kenady (Cal), pitcher Caden Glauber (North Carolina), outfielder Rett Johnson (NC State) and outfielder Teddy Tokheim (Stanford). At second base, Ball’s status on the Second Team was runner-up to Diego Cruz (Miami [Ohio]), who landed First Team consideration.
After cracking Virginia Tech’s Opening Day lineup as a true freshman, Ball started 54 of the Hokies’ 56 games, flexing a .310 batting average while leading the squad in doubles (18), home runs (17), RBIs (52) and OPS (1.081).
As of June 7, Ball ranked among the top 10 ACC players in slugging percentage (.660), doubles per game (0.33) and home runs per game (0.31), ranking in a tie for second leaguewide in hit by pitch (18). Defensively, he impressed during his first season on the collegiate infield, sporting a .994 fielding percentage through 178 chances (one error) while factoring into 17 double plays.