ROME, Ga.  Back on Wednesday, April 29, the USA South Athletic Conference announced its 2026 Baseball All-Conference Awards, with Methodist University earning four All-Conference selections. Brandon Mauger, Blake Freeman, Austin Rinzel, and Israel Ortiz all received postseason recognition, while senior Joey Sweeney was named to the conference's All-Sportsmanship Team.
 
Mauger, a junior from Altamonte Springs, Florida, earned the first All-Conference honor of his collegiate career, making the First Team. Serving as Methodist's main second baseman in 38 starts, he finished the regular season with a .342 batting average, the fourth-best mark on the team. His 52 hits ranked second on the roster, while his 14 doubles tied for the team lead and his 37 RBIs ranked third. Mauger also added three triples, two home runs, and a career-high .513 slugging percentage, while scoring 38 runs, drawing 22 walks, and stealing 11 bases.
 
Freeman, a junior from Graham, North Carolina, followed up a strong first season as a Monarch with an even better campaign in 2026, earning the first postseason award of his collegiate career with First Team All-Conference honors. After appearing in two games defensively, Freeman primarily served as Methodist's designated hitter, starting 37 contests. He finished the season with a .368 batting average, a .559 slugging percentage, and 38 RBIs, all ranking among the top marks on the team. Freeman also totaled 50 hits and tied for the team lead with 14 doubles and four home runs.
 
Rinzel, a junior from Columbia, South Carolina, put together one of the most impressive offensive seasons in program history en route to earning First Team All-Conference recognition in the outfield. The Monarchs' leadoff hitter and starting center fielder in all 40 games, Rinzel led the team in batting average (.473), slugging percentage (.642), on-base percentage (.547), hits (78), triples (4), home runs (4), runs scored (62), walks (26), and stolen bases (20).
 
Rinzel's totals in hits, runs, and triples all led the USA South, while his batting average and on-base percentage ranked second in the conference. He also recorded a career-high eight doubles, tied for the fourth-most on the team.
 
Ortiz, a senior from Wade, North Carolina, earned the first postseason honor of his collegiate career after being named Second Team All-Conference in the outfield. The former junior college transfer enjoyed a breakout season, starting 36 games in left field. Ortiz led the Monarchs with 40 RBIs, while his .358 batting average ranked third on the team. Among his 48 hits, he recorded 11 doubles and three home runs, producing a career-best .507 slugging percentage. He also set career highs in runs scored (33), walks (22), and stolen bases (4).