DALLAS - The Chico State baseball team earned three selections on the 2026 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-West Region teams, the organization announced Friday.
Junior reliever Manny Lopez was voted a First Team All-West Region selection, senior starter Rocco Borrelli earned Second Team honors, and freshman Jakob Poole received honorable mention recognition.
The trio helped lead a Chico State pitching staff that posted a 4.43 ERA with 280 strikeouts across 423 innings during the 2026 season.
Lopez emerged as one of the top relief pitchers in NCAA Division II's West Region throughout the spring. The junior right-hander finished the season with a 5-1 record, a 1.27 ERA, and a 0.74 WHIP over 28.1 innings while holding opponents to a .146 batting average. He also struck out 19 batters while issuing just seven walks.
He consistently delivered in key moments for the Wildcats, including earning victories in extra-inning games against Jessup and UC Colorado Springs. Lopez also tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in Chico State's 11-0 shutout victory over nationally-ranked Point Loma on Feb. 7.
Borrelli capped off a standout senior campaign with Second Team All-West Region honors after establishing himself as Chico State's top starter during conference play. The Antioch native finished 5-2 with a 3.78 ERA in 50 innings while striking out 39 batters and limiting opposing hitters to a .250 average.
Among his top performances was a dominant seven-inning shutout outing at Cal State LA on March 28, when he struck out seven in a 4-0 Wildcat victory. He also delivered seven-inning performances against Stanislaus State and Cal State Monterey Bay during the final stretch of conference play.
Poole earned honorable mention recognition following an impressive freshman season in Chico. The right-hander posted a 6-2 record with a 3.38 ERA across 45.1 innings while holding opponents to a .219 batting average. He also struck out 30 batters during his debut campaign.
Poole delivered several key victories during the season, including wins over Western Oregon and UC Colorado Springs, while also contributing to Chico State's success in extra-inning contests early in the year.
The NCBWA selections add to an already decorated postseason for Chico State's pitching staff after four Wildcats earned All-CCAA recognition earlier this month.
