NAPERVILLE — Four student-athletes from the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) were selected to the 2026 D3baseball.com All-America teams, announced Thursday.
 
Millikin’s Gavin Houchins and Carthage’s Michael Ossenfort were named to the Second Team, while Millikin’s Caleb Akins earned Fourth Team honors and North Central’s Jackson Bland was selected to the Fifth Team.
 
Houchins, a sophomore relief pitcher, finished the season with a Millikin-record nine saves and a 4-0 record. He posted a 1.32 earned-run average with 55 strikeouts over 47.2 innings. His save total ranks sixth in NCAA Division III, while his ERA ranks third nationally.
 
Ossenfort added All-America recognition to a freshman season in which he was named the CCIW Student-Athlete of the Year and First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year. The Carthage shortstop batted .433 with 55 hits and a team-high 13 home runs. His home run total ranks sixth on the Firebirds’ single-season list.
 
Akins completed his sophomore season with a 10-2 record for Millikin. The right-hander recorded a 2.63 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 84 strikeouts across 95.2 innings. His 10 victories are tied for fourth nationally, while his WHIP ranks 10th in Division III.
 
Bland became the first North Central second baseman to earn All-America honors. The junior hit .357 with a team-best 1.152 OPS, recording 11 doubles, eight home runs and seven triples during the season. He has 13 career triples, ranking fifth in Cardinals program history.
 
The D3baseball.com All-America teams are in their 19th season of recognizing NCAA Division III baseball student-athletes. Statistics for the 2026 selections were compiled through May 24 and include postseason competition. Each of the four CCIW honorees also received D3baseball.com All-Region recognition earlier this week.