Ethan Ball chosen to 2026 ABCA/Rawlings Atlantic All-Region First Team

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Emerging as one of the region’s best second basemen this season, Virginia Tech freshman infielder Ethan Ball was named to the 2026 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I Atlantic All-Region First Team, as announced by the organization on Tuesday.

Ball was one of three freshmen who earned 2026 Atlantic All-Region honors, sharing in First Team recognition with pitcher Caden Glauber (North Carolina) ahead of Second Team outfielder Rett Johnson (NC State). Within Virginia Tech’s award history, Ball became the Hokies’ seventh student-athlete to garner the program’s eighth All-Region accolade during the last five seasons, including its first to have placed onto the First Team since 2022 (Drue Hackenberg, Jack Hurley, Tanner Schobel).

Making all but four of his 54 starts at second base, Ball batted .310 and slugged .660 during his rookie season with the Hokies, leading the club in doubles (18), home runs (17), RBIs (52) and OPS (1.081). On the diamond, he turned 17 double plays and sported a .994 fielding percentage, committing one error spanning 178 defensive chances.

Tuesday’s honor follows Ball’s selection on Monday to the 2026 NCBWA Freshman All-America Second Team (click to read from June 8, 2026).