By Monte Perez
First-year head coach David Ernst was named the unanimous South Regional Coach of the Year after leading the Eagles to one of the best seasons in program history.
The Eagles finished the 2026 campaign with a 35-11 record and captured back-to-back South Regional Championships for the first time in school history. UFTL Baseball also earned the program's first-ever No. 1 ranking heading into the NCCAA World Series.
The Eagles enter the postseason as one of the hottest teams in the country, winning nine straight games and 19 of their last 21 contests.
Coach Ernst and his team won every series they played this season. Their only split came in a four-game set against New College of Florida on Feb. 7-8.
"We can't wait for the World Series," Ernst said. "As for the award, it is not about me. This award is about the coaches and players who have worked hard and bought in from Day 1. This award is about them."
The Eagles will travel to Kansas City to compete in the NCCAA World Series.
