Three Warriors Make All-American Squads in Baseball

The NCCAA has announced on Tuesday its 2026 Division I Baseball All-American teams, and the Nelson Warriors were blessed to have had three outstanding players earn national recognition after they helped propel the program to its historic first trip to the NCCAA Baseball World Series.

These three selections highlight the depth and talent of the 2026 Warriors, who finished the season on a strong note with a 19-8 record over their final 27 games, a club-record nine-game winning streak, the NCCAA West Division Championship, and a run to the National Semifinals.

Ethan Gustafson (Junior) – First Team All-American
Gustafson is the program's first-ever First-Team selection, after leading the Warriors in several major offensive categories, including home runs (18), extra-base hits (30), and runs batted in (72). He also put together a season-high 12-game hitting streak from March 28 through April 17. A power-hitting force in the middle of the lineup, Gustafson was instrumental in Nelson's late-season surge and deep postseason run.

Gerardo Paco (Sophomore) – Third Team All-American
Paco earned Third Team All-American honors thanks to his elite on-base ability and speed. He reached base 91 times in 43 games and scored a team-high-tying 53 runs. Not one of the team's primary power threats, Paco shined by showing tremendous plate discipline with only 14 strikeouts all season, resulting in an outstanding 29:14 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His ability to get on base and create havoc on the basepaths made him, and his team's offense, a constant threat.

Brandon Ramirez (Freshman) – Third Team All-American
Ramirez also earned Third Team All-American honors in his first season with the Warriors. He finished second on the team in batting average (.386 – just .002 off the team-lead) and posted a .479 on-base percentage. Ramirez recorded 61 hits, including 13 doubles and 2 home runs. He was a consistent spark in the lineup, recording two or more hits in 19 games — including three hits five times and four hits twice. His four-hit clutch performance in the National Tournament Quarterfinals was a major factor in Nelson advancing to the Semis.

Congratulations to Ethan Gustafson, Gerardo Paco, and Brandon Ramirez on this outstanding national recognition! Your performances have brought great pride to the Nelson Warriors program.

These men, like the entire athletic department, are built on belief, powered by purpose.