WINONA, Minn. – Winona State baseball's Josh Hatano, Sawyer Hoffman and Nathan Vela have been named to the 2026 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team.

Hatano, a senior from Cottage Grove, Minn., made 46 starts as an infielder while batting .277 with a .814 OPS and led the team with a .445 OBP. Hatano led the team in hit by pitches (19) and was second in runs (32) and walks (22) while driving in 20 runs and going a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen bases.

Hoffman, a junior from Farmington, Minn., started in 10 games on the mound and appeared in 12 total games. Hoffman was second on WSU in wins (4), innings pitched (60.2), and strikeouts (58) while recording a 5.34 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP. The right-handed pitcher tallied a season-high 10 strikeouts in a six-inning outing against Nova Southeastern (March 7).

Vela, a sophomore from Greenville, Wis., started in 11 games on the mound and went 3-3 with a 3.78 ERA in 50.0 innings tallying 30 strikeouts while holding opposing hitters to a .259 batting average. The right-handed pitcher recorded a WHIP of 1.64 and earned the win in the NSIC Tournament opener, tossing 5.0 innings and allowing only one earned run (May 6). 

The 2026 Academic All-District Baseball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes baseball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.