Harding, Huerta Cardenas earn NCCAA Central Region recognition
Sterling College is proud to announce the prestigious postseason honors awarded to two of its outstanding baseball athletes by the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). Jackson Harding and Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas were both recognized as NCCAA Central Region Third Team selections for their exceptional performances during the 2026 baseball season.
Harding had a stellar freshman season with the Warriors. He turned 177 at bats into 55 hits and 47 RBIs with six home runs. His batting average topped at .331 with an on-base percentage of .437 and a slugging percentage of .463. However, his more impressive stats come from his defensive prowess from the catchers position. Harding had a perfect fielding percentage this season with 270 putouts and 26 assists. He was top 10 in the NCCAA in catching runners stealing with 17 on the season. Huerta Cardenas also had a strong season his his senior year. He turned 190 at bats into 60 hits, 59 RBIs with 10 home runs and 26 extra base hits. Huerta Cardenas also boasted a batting average of .316, an on-base percentage of .428 and a slugging percentage of .574. On the base path, he tallied 109 total bases with 44 runs and 9 stolen bases on the season. He was also the anchor of the Warriors defense in the outfield, posted in center field he totaled 103 put outs and five assists with a fielding percentage of .982.
NCCAA Central Region 2026 Baseball All-Region Team
Player of the Year: Nick Hill, Mid-America Christian
Pitcher of the Year: Ibrahim Gonzalez, Mid-America Christian
Coach of the Year: Brett Stanton, Mid-America Christian
First Team
Nathan Duvall, Arlington Baptist, C, Jr.
Chase Roberston, College of the Ozarks, C, So.
Frankie Giacalone, Mid-America Christian, 1B, Jr.
Cole Krepcik, Mid-America Christian, 2B, Jr.
Odnal Rivera, Nelson, SS, Jr.
Nick Hill, Mid-America Christian, 3B, Jr.
Kurt Ippolito, Central Christian, OF, So.
Jalen King, Mid-America Christian, OF, Jr.
Andrew Ortiz, Nelson, OF, Grad.
Adam Hanan, Mid-America Christian, DH, Jr.
Jett Millsap, Randall, UT, So.
Ibrahim Gonzalez, Mid-America Christian, SP, Jr.
Trey Mullholland, Mission, SP, Sr.
Reagan Smith, Nelson, SP, R-Jr.
Liam Taft, Mid-America Christian, RP, Jr.
Second Team
Tucker Bradley, Ecclesia, C, Sr.
Joshua Pinter, Nelson, C, Jr.
Jake Galloway, Kansas Christian, 1B, Jr.
Josiah Clark, Champion, 2B, Jr.
Ayden Morgan, Champion, SS, Jr.
Dario Paredes, Southwestern Christian, 3B, Sr.
Yulian Gaston, Randall, OF, Jr.
Sammy Hallada, Mid-America Christian, OF, Jr.
Gabe Reed, Ecclesia, OF, Sr.
Cannon Harper, Arlington Baptista, DH, Jr.
Royce Florenzano, Southwestern Christian, UT, Jr.
Cameron Jennings, College of the Ozarks, SP, So.
Nick Julian, Central Christian, SP, Jr.
Jude Tenny, Mission, SP, Sr.
Luke Edmonds, Nelson, RP, Fr.
Third Team
Jackson Harding, Sterling, C, Fr.
Collin Miser, Mission, C, Jr.
Riley Burge, Champion, 1B, Sr.
Eliam Dudamel, Southwestern Christian, 2B, So.
Ty Rush, College of the Ozarks, SS, Sr.
Drew Lippold, Kansas Christian, 3B, Jr.
Emmanuel Huerta Cardenas, Sterling, OF, Sr.
Keenan Hunter, Ecclesia, OF, Jr.
Caden Shryock, Champion, OF, Jr.
Isaac Yearwood, Champion, DH, Jr.
James Folom, Southwestern Christian, UT, Jr.
Justin Evasovic, Central Christian, SP, Jr.
Fabian Hernandez, Mid-America Christian, SP, Sr.
Corbyn Torti, Arlington Baptist, SP, Sr.
Byron Madero, Mid-America Christian, RP, Jr.
