Natural State Baseball is pleased to announce its 2026 All-Arkansas Collegiate Team and Awards.

Little Rock is the Team of the Year. The Trojans finished the season by advancing to the first super regional in school history after winning (and going undefeated in) the Hattiesburg regional. Little Rock went 39-27 in2026, a school record for wins, and won its second consecutive OVC Tournament Championship. The Trojans were also the NSB Team of the Year in 2025 after winning the OVC Tournament and advancing to the regional final in Baton Rouge.

The Coach of the Year is Spencer Adcock at Crowley’s Ridge College. Coach Adcock improved the Pioneers record in his first season from 8-42 to 19-27-1. Adcock was previously the head coach and athletic director at ASU-Mountain Home, where he compiled a record of 82-43 in three seasons.

The Player of the Year is Noah Smith, a sophomore outfielder and first baseman for South Arkansas. He hit .445 this season, with 20 home runs and 92 RBI (a state record in RBI). He led the team this year in almost every offensive category, and leaves the Stars as the career leader in slugging percentage and on base percentage. Smith, a native of White Hall, also receives The Natural Award, which goes to the best collegiate baseball player in Arkansas who is from the state. Smith was a NJCAA Region 2 All-Region Player this season.

Central Arkansas’s Hunter Alexander is the Pitcher of the Year. A Senior from Bigelow, Alexander was 7-2 this season, with a 2.49 ERA and 11 saves. He was one of three Bears named to the ASUN First Team and was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist. Alexander holds the Bears’ career saves record after spending two seasons in Conway. He previously pitched for UA-Rich Mountain.

The Freshman of the Year is Tanner Mitchell of South Arkansas. He batted .385 this season, and recorded 25 home runs, 57 RBI and 31 stolen bases. The 25 home runs led the state of Arkansas, and Mitchell was in the top five in several other offensive categories. Mitchell, a Smackover native, was a NJCAA Region 2 All-Region Player this season.

All-Arkansas Team

Catcher – Ryder Helfrick, Arkansas (.283, 18 home runs and 53 RBI)
First – Andrew Stancin, Arkansas Rich Mountain (.343, 13 home runs and 47 RBI)
Second – Tanner Mitchell, SouthArk (.385, 25 home runs, 57 RBI and 31 stolen bases)
Third – Kenner Lauterbach, SouthArk (.479, 16 home runs and 56 RBI)
Shortstop – Camden Kozeal, Arkansas (.318, 20 home runs and 71 RBI)
Left Field – Gabe Reed, Ecclesia (.380, 18 doubles, 63 RBI and 26 stolen bases)
Center Field – Kirby Jenkins, Arkansas Tech (.347, 13 home runs and 62 RBI)
Right Field – Noah Smith, SouthArk (.445, 20 home runs and 92 RBI)
Designated Hitter – Camden Tanner, Arkansas-Monticello (.451, 14 home runs and 54 RBI)

Starting Pitcher – Hunter Dietz, Arkansas (7-4, 3.57 ERA, 131 strikeouts)
Starting Pitcher – Denver Hamilton, Central Arkansas (9-0, 3.00 ERA, 56 strikeouts)
Starting Pitcher – Alex Davis, SouthArk (7-2, 3.66 ERA, 67 strikeouts)
Relief Pitcher – Hunter Alexander, Central Arkansas (7-2. 2.49 ERA, 12 saves)
Relief Pitcher – Braxton Waller, Hendrix (0-0, 2.59 ERA, 11 saves)
Pitcher – Ethan McElvain, Arkansas (6-0, 1.88 ERA, 6 saves)
Pitcher – Aiden Leggett, Hendrix (6-1, 1.65 ERA, 2 saves)

Player of the Year – Noah Smith, SouthArk (.445, 20 home runs and 92 RBI)
Pitcher of the Year – Hunter Alexander, Central Arkansas (7-2. 2.49 ERA, 12 saves)
The Natural – Noah Smith, SouthArk (.445, 20 home runs and 92 RBI)
Freshman of the Year – Tanner Mitchell, SouthArk (.385, 25 home runs, 57 RBI and 31 stolen bases)
Coach of the Year – Spencer Adcock, Crowley’s Ridge College
Team of the Year – Little Rock Trojans

Honorable mention:

Kaleb Tejada (ASU Mid-South); JD Hertzog (ASU-Mountain Home); Ashton Greenlee (ATU); Tyler Sardelli (ATU); Eric Woodley (ATU); Dylan Parton (CBC); Riley Burge (Champion); Lawson DeVault (Crowley’s Ridge); Aiden Smith (Crowley’s Ridge); Drew Elmore (Ecclesia); Keenan Hunter (Ecclesia); Gustavo Soto (Ecclesia); Easton Jones (Harding); Cooper Newsom (Harding); Austin Rabago (Hendrix); Rhett Richardson (HSU); Tanner Ross (HSU); Isaac Evaniew (Little Rock); Kade Smith (Little Rock); Ashton Compton (Lyon); Kooper McCoy (Lyon); Andy Groening (NorthArk); Dylan Terry (NorthArk); Jaren Ceasar (OBU); Wyatt Fielding (SAU); Trey Davis Jr. (SEARK); Zac Carson (SouthArk); Jett Hudnall (SouthArk); Owen Hudnall (SouthArk); Jake Simmons (SouthArk); Daniel Lizarraga (UAM); Eli Marvin (UAM); Elijah Olaybal (UAM); John White (UAM); Zach Wieder (UAPB); Zeb Allen (UCA); Connor Brinkley (WBU); Skylar Morrison (WBU)