2026 NCBWA Preseason All-Atlantic Region Team
 
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University starting pitcher Nate Malak was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) preseason All-Atlantic Region Team, the organization announced Tuesday.
 
A senior from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, Malak was one of three starting pitchers named to the preseason all-region team alongside Michael Valente (California) and Ethan Woods (East Stroudsburg).
 
Malak anchored The Rock's starting rotation during a breakout junior year in 2025. Over 12 starts (65 innings), Malak went 6-3 with a 3.32 ERA, 59 strikeouts, a .218 opponent batting average and 1.12 WHIP. He threw four complete games, including shutouts over Seton Hill, Gannon and Pitt-Johnstown.
 
On his way to earning second team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division accolades, Malak ranked 20th in the nation in complete games, 35th in hits allowed per nine innings (7.20) and 37th in WHIP. He also closed 2025 slotted second in the PSAC among qualified pitchers in opponent batting average, third in hits allowed, sixth in ERA and 10th in strikeouts.
 
Malak is the second member of Slippery Rock's pitching staff to earn preseason accolades; relief pitcher Mark Wilbur was also recently named to D2Baseball's preseason All-America Team.
 
Malak was one of eight athletes from the PSAC West to earn a spot on the NCBWA preseason All-Atlantic Region Team. He was joined by Valente, Wes Parker (Gannon / 1B), Elijah Dunn (IUP / OF), Brady McGuire (Seton Hill / 3B), Owen Henne (Seton Hill / SS), Jakob Haynes (Seton Hill / DH) and Zach Herb (Seton Hill / RP).
 
Slippery Rock has received votes in both national polls released for Division II baseball this year from the American Baseball Coaches Association and D2Baseball.com. SRU was also positioned seventh in the NCBWA's preseason Atlantic Region rankings.
 
SRU opens its 2026 season Feb. 20 with a doubleheader against Kutztown University in Cary, North Carolina.
 
 


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