GREENSBORO, NC – A pair of University of Mary righthanders made an indelible mark on coaches throughout the region while leading the Marauders to a record-setting season. Selected by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), closer Cole Smith was honored as a first team selection while starter Lucas Burgum claimed second team recognition on the 2026 ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division II All-Central Region baseball team.
 
This is the first time the Marauders have landed multiple players on the ABCA/Rawlings all-region team and the third straight season UMary has been represented. Previous Marauders named to the  ABCA/Rawlings All-Central Region team are Isaac Pegors (2025 1^st team), Mark Schommer (2024 1^st team) and Mike Feldman (2007 2^nd team).  
 
Smith, a sophomore from Lynden, Ontario, was perfect in all nine of his save opportunities to break the Marauders single season record for saves. He posted a record of 4-1 with a 1.17 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. He ranks 7^th in NCAA Division II with nine saves.
 
A hard-throwing sidewinder with incredible motion on his pitches proved incredibly stingy in allowing runs. In 18 appearances covering 23 innings, Smith allowed a run in only four games. Additionally he never gave up more than a single run in any outing and just three of the four runs he allowed were earned. Smith struck out 19 batters 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.
 
Already a member of the 2026 NCBWA All-American honorable mention team, Smith has also been selected to the All-Northern Sun first team, the NCBWA All-Central Region first team and the D2CCA All-Central Region second team.
 
One of the nation's toughest pitchers to hit, Burgum anchored the Marauders rotation in his first full season at UMary. The junior from Mandan, ND, 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 pitched at least five innings in 11 of his 12 starts. He was selected the NSIC Pitcher of the Week after a complete game win over Southwest Minnesota State University after limiting the Mustangs to two hits and one unearned run. A week later he pitched a 2-hit shutout at Winona State University. 
 
Among NCAA Division II pitchers, Burgum ranks 9^th in hits allowed per 9 innings (6.36), 16^th in WHIP (1.05), 31^st in complete games (3) and 41^st in ERA (3.12).

A 1^st team All-Northern Sun selection, Burgum also earned D2CCA All-Central Region second team accolades.
 
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. Tanner Spencer, who became the all-time leader in coaching wins during the season, was named the NSIC Coach of the Year and a program-record five Marauders earned All-NSIC recognition. Two Marauders were named to the NSIC all-tournament team, also a program first. A program-high three Marauders have claimed NCAA all-region honors for 2026.
 
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