May 7, 2026 | Waxahachie, TX — A historic season for Nelson Baseball continues to collect well-earned recognition.

Following the program's first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance, four Lions were officially named to the 2026 Sooner Athletic Conference All-Conference teams, highlighting the impact Nelson made throughout one of the strongest baseball conferences in the country.

Representing the Lions on the All-SAC teams were:

• Drew Ortiz — First Team All-Conference

• Reagan Smith — First Team All-Conference

• Zeke Velazquez — Second Team All-Conference

• Josh Pinter — Second Team All-Conference

The honors come after Nelson finished the season with a historic 35-18 overall record and earned its first trip to the NAIA National Tournament in program history. 

Drew Ortiz — First Team All-Conference
Drew Ortiz established himself as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the SAC all season long.

The standout outfielder hit .380 while leading the Lions with:

• 63 hits

• 11 home runs

• 45 RBIs

• 109 total bases

• .657 slugging percentage

Ortiz consistently delivered in big moments, combining power, discipline, and clutch production while helping anchor one of the conference's most explosive lineups. His First Team selection places him among the SAC's elite offensive players.

Reagan Smith — First Team All-Conference
When the Lions needed a big-time performance on the mound, Reagan Smith answered.

The right-hander emerged as one of the conference's top starting pitchers, finishing the season with:

• 9 wins

• 2.81 ERA

• 65 strikeouts

• 4 complete games

• 1 shutout across 73.2 innings pitched. 

Zeke Velazquez — Second Team All-Conference
Behind the plate, Zeke Velazquez became one of the toughest and most reliable catchers in the SAC.

Velazquez hit .308 with:

• 52 hits

• 43 RBIs

• 13 doubles
  while also posting a stellar .983 fielding percentage defensively. 

Josh Pinter — Second Team All-Conference
Josh Pinter delivered one of the most complete seasons on the roster, producing offensively while bringing versatility and toughness to the field every day.

Pinter finished the year batting .301 with:

• 53 hits

• 10 home runs

• 42 RBIs

Whether it was a clutch swing, a defensive play, or an emotional spark, Pinter consistently found ways to impact winning baseball.

The All-Conference recognition reflects more than individual success, for it reflects the growth of an entire program. Nelson Baseball continued to raise the standard throughout the 2026 season, building a team known for toughness, explosive offense, and belief. With postseason history made and multiple Lions now recognized among the SAC's best, the future of Nelson Baseball continues to shine brighter than ever.

Nelson University (formerly SAGU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.