GREENWOOD, Ind.- The 2026 Academic All-District® baseball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Five members of the Newman baseball teams were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes baseball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. 

For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com

Justin Birch appeared in 46 games, with 45 games started in the 2026 season. Birch tallied 155 total at bats where he tallied 38 hits, with 15 doubles, eight home runs, and 21 RBIs. Birch's 15 was the most by a Jet this season. Birch ended the year with a .245 batting average and a .805 OPS. 

Kaynan Kaku appeared in 50 games, starting all 50. Kaku tallied 63 hits off 173 at bats for a .370 batting average. Kaku also led the Jets in OPS with .983, RBIs with 32, and was third in doubles with ten. He also added six home runs on the season. 

Peyton Mitchell appeared in 36 games for Newman. Mitchell recorded a .278 batting average with a .938 OPS, third best on the team this season. Mitchell appeared at the plate a total of 108 times where he recorded 30 hits, six doubles, seven home runs, and 36 RBIs.  His 26 RBIs was third most on the season, along with his seven home runs. 

Collin Morris appeared in 46 games with 44 starts. He totaled 142 at bats where he tallied 39 hits, 17 RBIs, two home runs, one triple, and eight doubles. His 39 total hits were third most this season for Newman, Morris recorded a batting average of .245 with an OPS of .805. Morris led the Jets with 30 walks drawn. 

John Sjoberg led the Jets pitching staff with 19 total appearances with 23 total innings pitched. Sjoberg struck out 19 batters through his 19 appearances. He ended the season with an 11.74 ERA, allowing 28 hits with 30 earned runs. Sjoberg earned one win on the mound in 2026. 

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