Efren Ortega Scores Academic All-District Recognition
June 02, 2026 | Baseball
IRVINE, Calif. --- College Sports Communicators revealed the Academic All-District honorees Tuesday with catcher Efren Ortega representing UC Irvine baseball.
Anteaters have now earned the distinction for a fourth straight season, the 17th honor in the program's history, and Ortega joins past Anteater catchers Francis Larson and Thomas McCaffrey on the list.
The first-year Anteater jumped in as the team's primary catcher in 2026 and finished with a .306 batting average, tops on the squad, while contributing 38 hits, 17 RBIs, and 32 runs scored in 42 games played with 38 as a starter. He was honored as All-Big West Honorable Mention with after posting the second-best batting average in Big West games at .365 and the second-best on-base percentage of .480.
To be eligible for nomination to the 2026 CSC Academic All-District Division I Baseball Team, candidates must have at least a sophomore standing and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher, playing at least 90 percent of the team's competitions or starting at least 66 percent of the time. Additionally, pitchers must appear in at least 17 games or complete at least 35 innings.
The 2026Academic 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 honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. Overall, nine Big West baseball student-athletes made the cut for Academic All-District.
Anteaters have now earned the distinction for a fourth straight season, the 17th honor in the program's history, and Ortega joins past Anteater catchers Francis Larson and Thomas McCaffrey on the list.
The first-year Anteater jumped in as the team's primary catcher in 2026 and finished with a .306 batting average, tops on the squad, while contributing 38 hits, 17 RBIs, and 32 runs scored in 42 games played with 38 as a starter. He was honored as All-Big West Honorable Mention with after posting the second-best batting average in Big West games at .365 and the second-best on-base percentage of .480.
To be eligible for nomination to the 2026 CSC Academic All-District Division I Baseball Team, candidates must have at least a sophomore standing and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher, playing at least 90 percent of the team's competitions or starting at least 66 percent of the time. Additionally, pitchers must appear in at least 17 games or complete at least 35 innings.
The 2026Academic 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 honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. Overall, nine Big West baseball student-athletes made the cut for Academic All-District.
Players Mentioned
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