Wheeling, W. Va. - Earlier this spring, Wheeling University Baseball players Edward Mateo and Sebastian Khan were each honored with the Division II College Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Region honors. On Wednesday, the duo continued to rack up the All-Region accolades, taking home their second awards of the spring when the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) released their All-Region lists. Both Mateo and Khan earned First Team All-Region honors, being two of just three MEC players to earn First Team honors on this year's list.
Khan is taking home his second career All-Region honor, including his second of the spring season. The 2026 MEC Pitcher of the Year had a breakout season as the ace of the Cardinal's staff, finishing 9-2 with a 2.67 ERA across 84.1 innings of work. He set career-highs in almost every statistical category, while sitting atop the conference in ERA (2.67) and opponent batting average (.196). He was the only Cardinal's starting pitcher to finish with a sub-3.00 ERA, setting the program record in wins (9), innings pitched (84.1) and strikeouts (87). Off the field, he was recognized amongst his peers in the Wheeling Athletics Department, earning the department's Male Student-Athlete of the Year, honoring the top performing senior student-athlete for their accomplishments both on the field and in the classroom.
Mateo is also taking home his second career All-Region honor, with both of those awards coming this past season. Mateo was the leader of the Cardinal's offense from the leadoff spot in the order, hitting .428 with seven home runs and 39 RBI across 180 at-bats. He would pick up at least one hit in 41 of the 52 games he appeared in this season, and ended 2026 riding an eight-game hitting streak that included their run in postseason play. He led the conference in batting average (.428), On-Base Percentage (.564), OPS (1.231), runs scored (74), hits (82), Triples (4), walks (43), and stolen bases (35). For his efforts, he was named the 2026 MEC Hitter of the Year as well as a D2CCA First Team All-Region honoree.
With the announcement of the ABCA All-Region teams, the Wheeling University Athletic Department has now had seven All-Region honorees this season, including the second for both Khan and Mateo. The two players were honored for the second time this season, earning the same First Team All-Region honor from the D2CCA earlier this season. Prior to Khan and Mateo winning their honors, Women's Basketball player Kenzie Dalton was the last Cardinal to earn All-Region honors this season.
The Wheeling University Baseball team continues their off-season run as they prepare to come back stronger in 2027.
