Harrington Named to NCBWA All-American Team
6/10/2026 1:34:00 PM | Baseball
LYNCHBURG, VA. – Liberty relief pitcher Cooper Harrington has been selected to the 2026 NCBWA All-American third team, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced this afternoon.
Harrington becomes the second Flame to be named to an All-American team this afternoon. Teammate Ben Blair was named to the 2026 Perfect Game All-American team earlier this afternoon. The two become the first Flames to be named to an All-American team since pitcher Trevor DeLaite was named to several All-American teams in 2021. Harrington becomes the seventh Flame to be selected to an NCAA Division I All-America team in school history. Second baseman Ryan Seiz in 2014, pitcher
Jared Lyons in 2015, outfielder D.J. Artis in 2017 and relief pitcher Evan Brabrand in 2019 join Harrington, Blair and DeLaite as Flames to receive All-America honors during the program's Division I era.
Last week, Harrington became the first Liberty pitcher in program history to become one of the 14 finalists for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. The honor is presented to the nation's top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball and will be announced on Friday.
Harrington, a sophomore from Sanford, N.C., finished 2026 with a 2-2 record with a 3.61 ERA and 14 saves over 52 1/3 innings in 26 appearances, three of which were starts. The CUSA All-Conference second team member struck out 60 and walked 13. The right-hander averaged 10.36 strikeouts per nine innings.
As a reliever, Harrington posted a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA and 14 saves over 23 appearances. In 36 2/3 relief innings, he struck out 45 and walked 12. The right-hander converted 14 of 15 save opportunities after taking over the Flames' closer role in a 9-3 win over Missouri State on March 15.
Harrington finished the year tied for second in the nation and was the CUSA leader in saves. His 14 saves are the second most by a Liberty pitcher in a single season. Only Josh Brey, who had 16 in 2000, had more.
Harrington and the Flames recorded a 43-21 overall record this season. Liberty's win total tied the program record with the 2010 and 2019 Flames. Liberty participated in an NCAA Regional for the ninth time in program history, receiving its fourth at-large selection to the 64-team field this season.
In addition, the Flames went 21-9 in Conference USA play, finishing second in the league standings. For the first time in its three years in the conference, Liberty advanced to the CUSA Championship game.
Harrington becomes the second Flame to be named to an All-American team this afternoon. Teammate Ben Blair was named to the 2026 Perfect Game All-American team earlier this afternoon. The two become the first Flames to be named to an All-American team since pitcher Trevor DeLaite was named to several All-American teams in 2021. Harrington becomes the seventh Flame to be selected to an NCAA Division I All-America team in school history. Second baseman Ryan Seiz in 2014, pitcher
Jared Lyons in 2015, outfielder D.J. Artis in 2017 and relief pitcher Evan Brabrand in 2019 join Harrington, Blair and DeLaite as Flames to receive All-America honors during the program's Division I era.
Last week, Harrington became the first Liberty pitcher in program history to become one of the 14 finalists for the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award. The honor is presented to the nation's top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball and will be announced on Friday.
Harrington, a sophomore from Sanford, N.C., finished 2026 with a 2-2 record with a 3.61 ERA and 14 saves over 52 1/3 innings in 26 appearances, three of which were starts. The CUSA All-Conference second team member struck out 60 and walked 13. The right-hander averaged 10.36 strikeouts per nine innings.
As a reliever, Harrington posted a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA and 14 saves over 23 appearances. In 36 2/3 relief innings, he struck out 45 and walked 12. The right-hander converted 14 of 15 save opportunities after taking over the Flames' closer role in a 9-3 win over Missouri State on March 15.
Harrington finished the year tied for second in the nation and was the CUSA leader in saves. His 14 saves are the second most by a Liberty pitcher in a single season. Only Josh Brey, who had 16 in 2000, had more.
Harrington and the Flames recorded a 43-21 overall record this season. Liberty's win total tied the program record with the 2010 and 2019 Flames. Liberty participated in an NCAA Regional for the ninth time in program history, receiving its fourth at-large selection to the 64-team field this season.
In addition, the Flames went 21-9 in Conference USA play, finishing second in the league standings. For the first time in its three years in the conference, Liberty advanced to the CUSA Championship game.
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