ST. PAUL, MN – Headlined by Bryce Leafgren, the University of Mary landed a program-record three scholar-athletes on the 2026 D2CCA Baseball All-Central Region squad. Leafgren earned first team honors with teammates Lucas Burgum and Cole Smith claiming second team recognition.
 
This is the first time the Marauders have had multiple selections on the D2CCA All-Region team. Leafgren is just the second UMary player to earn D2CCA (formerly Daktronics) first team honors, joining Isaac Pegors (2025). Burgum and Smith join Mike Feldman (2008) and Kyal Williams (2013) as D2CCA/Daktronics second team selections.
 
D2CCA awards are sponsored by the NCAA Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (CCA) and selected by College Sports Communicators (formerly sports information directors). The Central Region includes teams from the Northern Sun (14 teams), Mid-America (13) and Great American (12) conferences.
 
After posting one of the most dynamic offensive seasons in program history, Leafgren claimed first team all-region honors as the utility player. The senior from Eaton, CO, split time between the outfield and first base. He started 32 games on the infield dirt and 21 in the grass plus one as the designated hitter. He blasted 14 home runs, drove in 58 runs while scoring 45 times while leading the team with 14 doubles.
 
A two-time All-Northern Sun second team selection (DH in 2025, 1B in 2026), Leafgren hit .354 with a .464 on base percentage and a .651 slugging percentage this season. After helping the Marauders win a school-record 37 games, he earned NSIC all-tournament honors by leading UMary to a program-best third place finish.  
 
Leafgren's home run and RBI totals were the third-highest single season marks in program history.   
 
One of the nation's toughest pitchers to hit, Burgum anchored the Marauders rotation in his first full season at UMary. An All-Northern Sun first team selection, the Mandan, ND, native posted a record of 5-4 on the season with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He completed three games, including a shutout, and struck out 69 hitters in 69.1 innings. The opposition hit a scant .197 off Burgum, recording just 49 hits while walking 26 times.
 
Burgum, who went at least five innings in 11 of his 12 starts, was selected the NSIC Pitcher of the Week after a complete game win over Southwest Minnesota State University where he allowed one unearned run and limited the Mustangs to two hits. A week later he pitched a 2-hit shutout at Winona State University.  
 
Among NCAA Division II pitchers, Burgum ranks 10^th in hits allowed per 9 innings (6.36), 18^th in WHIP (1.05), 31^st in complete games (3) and 44^th in ERA (3.12).
 
Smith, who broke the Marauders single season record for saves with nine, earned first team All-NSIC recognition and was named to the NCBWA All-Central Region first team as a relief pitcher. He converted all nine of his save opportunities and posted a record of 4-1 with a 1.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. Two of his saves came during the NSIC tournament.
 
The Lynden, Ontario, righthander proved incredibly stingy. He allowed runs in only four of his 18 appearances and never allowed more than one run to score in an outing. Smith gave up four runs total and only three earned over 23.0 innings pitched. He struck out 19 and limited foes to just 15 hits and nine walks. Opponents hit a minuscule .185 with a .272 slugging percentage. Not once did Smith serve up a home run.
 
UMary finished the season 37-18 overall to set a school record for wins and NSIC wins (27). The Marauders finished third in the regular season standings and placed third in the NSIC tournament – both program bests – and won games at the NSIC tournament for the first time.
 
Leafgren and the other D2CCA All-Central Region First Team selections now advance to the D2CCA Baseball All-America ballot, which will be voted on by the CSC Division II membership. The All-American team announcement is expected on Wednesday, May 27.
 
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