DENVER -- The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its 2026 NCAA Division II Baseball Preseason All-American teams on Thursday morning, with MSU Denver's Erubiel Ortiz tabbed as a second team selection. 

Senior third baseman Erubiel Ortiz was named to the Preseason All-American second team, earning the distinction as the lone Roadrunner selected. He was named a NCBWA All-South Central preseason selection earlier in the week. Ortiz returns after a standout 2025 campaign that included D2CCA All-South Central Region Second Team, All-RMAC First Team, and All-RMAC Gold Glove honors, while also excelling in the classroom with All-RMAC Academic First Team recognition and a spot on the RMAC Academic Honor Roll.

A consistent presence at the hot corner, Ortiz is expected to be a key bat in the middle of the Roadrunners' lineup once again in 2026, providing both power and defensive stability as MSU Denver looks to build on last season's success.

As a team, MSU Denver was picked third in the RMAC preseason poll and eighth in the NCBWA's South Central Region preseason poll. Head coach Ryan Strain and his squad are coming off a 33-24 season that featured the program's third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years and a trip to the RMAC Championship series.

With veteran leadership and mix of newcomers across the roster, the Roadrunners will look to carry that momentum into 2026 as they set their sights on earning another berth in the NCAA South Central Regional.