AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern State University senior Evan Wainman, senior Jackson Raper and juniors Derek Espinoza, Caleb Gipson, Wade Johnson, Devon Murphy and Drew Reaves were named to the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Baseball All-Academic Team released by the league Wednesday afternoon.

Espinoza, a management major from Savannah, Ga., maintained a 3.76 grade point average. Before suffering a season-ending injury at the end of March, the right-handed hurler served as a weekend starter for the Hurricanes and compiled a 3-2 record with a 3.57 earned run average.

Gipson, a management major from Columbia, S.C., earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average. The Canes staring center fielder played in 49 games and batted .306. He ranked second on the team with 12 stolen bases, recorded 18 multi-hit games and put together a 12-game hitting streak.

Johnson, a criminal justice major from Clearwater, Fla., finished with a 3.60 grade point average. The righty posted a 4-2 record in 10 starts and closed the season by striking out 11 batters without issuing a walk over eight innings against Flagler in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

Murphy, a management major from LaGrange, Ga., maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. The junior outfielder ranked second on the team in batting average (.340) and OPS (1.008). He led the Hurricanes with 13 stolen bases while going a perfect 13-for-13 on the basepaths, added a team-best 18 doubles and drove in 58 runs. Murphy also hit nine home runs, collected 21 multi-hit games and recorded 16 games with multiple RBIs.

Raper, a management major from Belle Isle, Fla., posted a 3.80 grade point average. The relief pitcher made 18 appearances and finished the season with a 3-1 record. He earned both Peach Belt Conference Pitcher of the Week and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Southeast Region Pitcher of the Week honors in late April after totaling a win and a save across two appearances spanning 11 1/3 innings while allowing just one run and striking out seven without issuing a walk.

Reaves, an integrated studies major from Pensacola, Fla., maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average. The junior infielder played in all 53 games for the Hurricanes and recorded 10 games with multiple RBIs. He also posted a 10-game hitting streak and collected five hits in Game 2 of GSW's series against Claflin, the most by a Hurricane in a game during the 2026 season.

Wainman, a management major from Lithia, Fla., earned a 3.81 grade point average. The Hurricanes designated hitter led the team in batting average (.364), OPS (1.049), home runs (11) and multi-RBI games (18). Wainman was named a First Team All-Peach Belt Conference selection and earned Second Team ABCA/Rawlings All-Southeast Region honors.

The all-academic team is a part of the PBC's larger initiative to celebrate the academic achievements of PBC student-athletes.

To be eligible for the team, a student-athlete must 1) participate in at least half of his/her team's events and be either a starter or significant contributor (pitchers qualify with a minimum of 17 games or 35 innings); 2) achieve a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) and 3) reach sophomore athletic and academic eligibility. The Peach Belt Conference sports communications professionals oversee the program.

For the entire 2026 PBC Baseball All-Academic Team, click here.