Seven Millikin University baseball players and the Big Blue coaching staff were recognized by the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin with selection to the 2026 All-Conference Baseball Team, according to a May 5 announcement.
The recognition highlights both individual and team achievements for Millikin’s baseball program this season. The team finished with a strong conference record, earning them top seeding for the upcoming tournament.
Junior shortstop Carder Riech, sophomore designated hitter Ty Cribbett, and freshman pitcher Brayden Saling were named to the CCIW All-Conference First Team. Sophomore second baseman Pete Britton, senior outfielder Sam Bushur, sophomore pitcher Caleb Akins, and sophomore relief pitcher Gavin Houchins earned spots on the Second Team. The Millikin coaching staff was named CCIW Coaching Staff of the Year after leading their team to a 15-5 conference record and winning the regular season championship. Head Coach Brandon Townsend leads a staff that includes Dylan Hamilton, Ryan Jenssen, Kevin Koslofski, John Hickman, and Mike Mose.
Riech posted a .354 batting average overall with 13 doubles and 43 runs batted in. In conference play he ranked fifth in hitting with a .413 average. Cribbett led Millikin in hitting at .377 for the season with nine doubles, five triples, three home runs and an on-base percentage of .488. Saling finished his freshman year undefeated at 10-0 on the mound with an earned run average of 2.49; his ten wins are currently tops among NCAA Division III pitchers this season.
Britton hit .333 on the year while stealing 22 bases; Bushur received all-conference honors for his fourth time after setting a school career hits record at 226; Akins went 9-1 as a pitcher; Houchins set another school mark by recording nine saves this season along with maintaining an ERA of just 1.49 over more than forty innings pitched.
Senior Kolby Koslofski was named Millikin’s recipient of the CCIW RESPECT Award which recognizes student-athletes who demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, service, pride, excellence, collaboration and trust within their teams as well as their broader communities.
