AUGUSTA, GA. – On the eve of the annual conference tournament, the Peach Belt Conference has announced the 2026 Baseball Major Awards and All-Conference teams. Columbus State secured four all-conference nods, including three places on the First Team.

Senior Jackson Chizek was honored twice on the First Team, both as a second baseman and utility player. The Loganville, Georgia native split time at both spots in the middle of the infield as well as serving as a designated hitter on occasion. Chizek slashed .391/.474/.503 across 44 games, collecting 63 hits, including seven doubles, a triple, and a home run. He also drove in 36 runs and scored 41 more while stealing 15 bases.

Yoxtheimer made an immediate impact in his first season as a Cougar, earning First Team accolades as an outfielder. The junior turned in a .358 batting average atop the Cougars' batting order with a team-high 68 hits, including 18 doubles, three triples, and five home runs. The Phenix City, Alabama native also led CSU with 60 runs scored while driving in 36 RBI. Yoxtheimer led the Peach Belt and currently ranks 13th in NCAA Division II with 36 stolen bases.

Evans earned his first career all-conference honor, garnering a spot on the Second Team as a first baseman. He hit .346 in the middle of the lineup with 62 hits, including 12 doubles, a triple, and five home runs to go along with 38 runs scored and a team-high 49 RBI. The senior was a steadying presence in the field all season long, registering a .994 fielding percentage with 344 putouts.

Columbus State kicks off the postseason this weekend as the No. 6 seed in bracket play at the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Greenwood, S.C. The Cougars face off against third-seeded USC Aiken in the opening round of play on Friday, May 1, at 1:00 p.m.


First Team All-Conference
1B- Yariel Diaz, USCA
2B- Jackson Chizek, Columbus State
3B- Payton Palladino, Flagler
SS- Ben Hamacher, North Georgia
C- Kyle Robitzsch, North Georgia
DH- Evan Wainman, Georgia Southwestern
UT- Jackson Chizek, Columbus State
OF- George Gilson, Flagler
OF- Evan Cowan, GCSU
OF- Jax Yoxtheimer, Columbus State
OF- Evan Harding, USCA
SP- Evan Koehler, Georgia Southwestern
SP- CJ Hanson, Flagler
SP- Joseph Rauscher, USCA
SP- Matthew Heard, North Georgia
RP- Cooper Sain, Georgia Southwestern
RP- CJ Linclon, USCA
RP- Joshua Sanchez, Lander

Second Team All-Conference
1B- Cayden Evans, Columbus State
2B- Salvatore Laimo, USCA
3B- Maverick Grigsby, USCA
3B- Patrick Crosby, Middle Georgia
SS- Nolan Turner, Augusta
C- Donovan Glisson, USCA
C- Sebastian Collender, Middle Georgia
DH- Cam Hodge, North Georgia
UT- JD Coleman, North Georgia
OF- Oliver Zohn, Lander
OF- Jake Streeter, North Georgia
OF- Devon Murphy, Georgia Southwestern
OF- Chancellor Jennings, USCA
OF- Brody Winter, Lander
SP- Johnny Nutt, Georgia Southwestern
SP- Andrew Duval, North Georgia
SP- Kevin Cox, North Georgia
SP- Ben Shepherd, USCA

Player of the Year
George Gilson, Flagler

Pitcher of the Year
Evan Koehler, Georgia Southwestern

Freshman of the Year
Johnny Nutt, Georgia Southwestern

Coach of the Year
Nolan Belcher, North Georgia

Elite 18 Award
Tams Mullins, GCSU