SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Mark Wilbur, a senior relief pitcher at Slippery Rock University, earned a spot on the 2026 D2Baseball preseason All-America Team. Announced on Monday, he was one of only four athletes from the Atlantic Region to receive this honor.
At 6-foot-4 and from Stow, Ohio, Wilbur is entering his final collegiate season after a standout junior year. He made a name for himself as a key bullpen option in Division II. In 2025, Wilbur appeared in 18 games, achieving a 2-2 record with six saves and a solid 1.93 ERA. He limited opponents to a .192 batting average and accumulated 52 strikeouts against just 10 walks over 42 innings.
His performance last season earned him a second-team All-American title from D2Baseball. He also received the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honor for excelling both academically and athletically.
As he heads into 2026, Wilbur ranks fourth in Slippery Rock’s history for career saves with nine. He’s also in the top 20 for total appearances, with 38 under his belt.
Other athletes from the Atlantic Region named to the preseason All-America Team include Kaden Swaim (Concord, First Team, Catcher), Michael Valente (California, First Team, Starting Pitcher), and Zach Herb (Seton Hill, Second Team, Relief Pitcher).
In 2025, Slippery Rock finished with a 31-19 record. They qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the third straight year and achieved 31 wins—the second highest total in 16 years under head coach Jeff Messer.
Slippery Rock will kick off the 2026 season with a doubleheader against Kutztown University on February 20 in Cary, North Carolina. The team was also recognized in the receiving votes section of D2Baseball’s preseason top 25 poll.
For updates on The Rock, check out their official Athletic Communication accounts on social media: [Twitter](http://twitter.com/rock_athletics), [Facebook](http://facebook.com/rockathletics), and [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/rockathletics/).
Wilbur’s journey is a testament to the hard work and dedication of college athletes. As they prepare for the season ahead, fans can look forward to exciting performances and potential records being broken. The competitive spirit in college baseball continues to thrive, and athletes like Wilbur embody that drive.
