KANSAS CITY, Mo. - For just the fifth time in program history, the Marian baseball team has been honored with an NAIA All-America honor, as the Knights'
River Pecina was named to the NAIA All-America Second Team on Thursday afternoon. Pecina is Marian's first All-America recipient since 2018, and the first to earn a spot on one of the top two teams since 2002.
River Pecina had one of the best individual seasons in Marian's recent history, posting strong numbers at the plate as a freshman. As a first-year collegiate player, Pecina led Marian at the plate by batting .360 for the season, while slugging .742 and carrying an OPS of 1.208. The freshman posted 67 base hits, leading the team with 70 RBI in his 186 at-bats. Pecina also posted team-bests for doubles (14) and home runs (17), with his 17 home runs tying the program's single-season record set in 1988 by Gar King and again matched in 2002 by Wes Hayden. Pecina also tripled three times on the year.
In addition to his home runs, Pecina showed skill on the base paths as he had 19 stolen bases, a Marian best. The freshman held a .466 on-base percentage and drew 25 walks while getting hit by a pitch 18 times. He also scored 64 runs, the second-most for the Knights' lineup. Pecina played and started in 52 games this season.
The freshman phenom posted 16 games with multiple base hits, and in his record-matching home run season, he hit multiple home runs in four games this season. The Knight never posted a batting average lower than .261 and played 30 of the team's 53 games with a .390 mark. In Crossroads League play, Pecina batted .402, recording 12 of his 14 doubles and 11 of his 17 home runs, driving in 53 runs in CL play.
Matching his offensive prowess on the defensive side, the starting center fielder carried a .991 fielding percentage, making 109 putouts and two assists in 112 chances.
Pecina was the 2026 Crossroads League Newcomer of the Year, earning First Team and Gold Glove Team honors from the conference. Pecina is one of four outfielders on the 2026 NAIA All-America Second Team.
The freshman's All-America honor is the first since Cody Earl was named to the Honorable Mention Team in 2018. Matt Burleton (2017, Honorable Mention) and Wes Hayden (2001 & 2002, Second Team) are the only other All-Americans in program history.
Marian finished the season 35-18, setting a program record with 27 wins in conference play. The Knights reached the NAIA Opening Round and finished tied for second in the Crossroads League.
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