Bryan's Lofton Named NAIA Preseason All-American

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The NAIA has announced the 17-player Preseason Baseball All-America Team, selected annually by the NAIA-Baseball Coaches Association (NAIA-BCA) All-America Committee. For more information on NAIA Baseball, click here.

Four starting pitchers are included as well as one relief pitcher while the list included four infielders in addition to two behind the dish. The outfield features four players and the last two spots go to a utility player and a designated hitter.

This year's Preseason All-America Team includes seven First-Team All-Americans from the 2023 campaign including reigning NAIA Player of the Year Ajay Sczepkowski of Georgia Gwinnett; eight others were selected as Second Team honorees last year. Charlie Muniz of Cumberlands (Ky.) is the only player to appear on last season's preseason list. 

Southeastern (Fla.) leads the way with three student-athletes on this list including starting pitcher Darien Smith, relief pitcher Reece Wissinger, and shortstop Isaac Nunez. Cumberlands (Ky.) teammates Max Harper and Charlie Muniz are selected at first base and catcher, respectively. 

Bryson Lofton of Bryan represents the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) on the squad. A 2023 All-AAC First Team selection, Lofton earned NAIA All-American Second Team honors last season after leading the league with a .427 average with 20 home runs and 71 RBI.

The group features two graduate students, eight seniors, and seven juniors. 

With 20 total conferences sponsoring baseball in the NAIA, 10 are represented by student-athletes on the list. The Sun Conference features three, while two each are from the American Midwest, Great Plains, Mid-South, North Star, and WHAC. Single honorees are out of the Appalachian, Continental, Sooner, and Southern States.