Akers, Allen Earn All-GAC Honors
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced its annual baseball awards and All-Conference teams on Wednesday, with East Central University well represented as Tyler Akers and Joey Allen earned recognition for their performances during the 2026 season.
The selections underscore a milestone year for the Tigers, who have reestablished themselves as contenders in the conference as they return to the GAC Championships for the first time since 2016. The Tigers also placed multiple players on an All-GAC team for the first time since 2018, highlighting the program's continued growth.
Akers led the way for ECU, earning All-GAC Second Team honors while also being named to the All-GAC Defensive Team. He becomes the first player in program history to receive Defensive Team recognition.
The junior from Springtown, Texas, delivered a standout season at the plate and in the field. Akers currently ranks second in the GAC in on-base percentage (.515), eighth in stolen bases (19), ninth in runs scored (53), and 11th in batting average (.364). A consistent presence in the lineup, he has appeared in all 45 games this season and has been instrumental in leading the Tigers back to postseason play.
Allen also secured his first career All-GAC recognition, earning Honorable Mention honors as ECU's designated hitter. After missing last season due to injury, Allen returned to play a key role in the Tigers' offensive production. He ranks sixth in the conference in doubles (16) and fourth in sacrifice flies (6), while posting a .353 batting average with 53 hits and 40 RBIs.
ECU's success extended beyond the field, as 26 student-athletes were named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll, awarded to players who maintain a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher.
The No. 8-seeded Tigers will embark on their postseason run Thursday when they face No. 1 seed Arkansas-Monticello at 1 p.m. in the opening round of the GAC Championships at Majestic Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
