Seven Cavemen Named to All-District Team

By Don Eskins

Seven Cavemen have been selected for All-District 4/5A honors for their efforts on the baseball diamond during 2026.

Heading the list of CHS hardballers named to this year’s team was sophomore hurler Wade Cozart. Cozart, named as an All District First Team pitcher and Second Team infielder, was also named as the District 4/5A Player of the Year.

Also receiving All-District honors were First Team: Jayden Carter, catcher, Connor Roberson, designated hitter, and EZ Lopez, utility infielder. Second Team: Mike Davis, infield, Brock Wright, outfield, and Evan Ortiz, pitcher.

Receiving Honorable Mention were Mitch Espinda, outfield, and Ricardo Herrera, outfield.

During 2026, the District 4/5A champion Cavemen battled their way through the conference season to post an unblemished 6-0 record, four games ahead of Clovis, Roswell, and Hobbs, who all closed out district play at 2-4.

It was the third straight conference championship for CHS under the leadership of Cavemen head coach Mike McGaha.

No doubt, playing a leading role in CHS’s march to the district title was this year’s conference Player of the Year, Wade Cozart.

“Wade, only a sophomore, had an outstanding year. He was much more than just a great pitcher, though; he also excelled defensively and at the plate,” said McGaha. “And although his youth showed at times—such as striking out a few too many times or committing an error—he most always was able to come back to record a game-winning play or hit.

“With Wade on the mound, we always felt like we had a chance to win, and a lot more times than not, we were right,” said the Caveman boss. “Because of his success throughout the season during our district schedule and deep into the playoffs, he’s put Carlsbad baseball back on the map.

“District 4/5A coaches got this one right,” added McGaha. “Wade was definitely deserving of this year’s Player of the Year honor.”

During conference play, on the hill, Cozart was 3-0. He allowed just two runs, zero earned, on 11 hits and two walks with 22 strikeouts. He had an ERA of 0.00. At the plate, he hit .412.

On the year, he was 9-1 with an ERA of 1.186. He gave up 12 earned runs on 51 hits and 14 walks with 88 strikeouts. With the bat, he hit .307.

But winning the 2026 conference title took much more than just the efforts of Cozart. It took a team.

“Wade had some great support behind him, whether it be solid defensive efforts or timely hits,” said the CHS head coach. “That’s definitely reflected by the number of kids we had named to this year’s All-District Team. They all had a hand in securing this year’s conference title and our deep run into the state playoffs.

“Although we bent some during the early part of our season, mainly due to an extremely tough schedule, our kids didn’t break,” said McGaha. “They kept it together, and their confidence really grew during our run to the district title.

“Our coaching staff is very proud of all of our kids,” he said. “That’s especially true for our kids named to this year’s All-District team. It’s an honor they all deserved.”

CHS All-District Selections:

(With District-Season Batting Avg.)

D4/5A POY: Wade Cozart

First Team: Jayden Carter, catcher, .412, .376; Connor Roberson, designated hitter, .391, .274; EZ Lopez, utility infielder, .476, .359; Wade Cozart, pitcher, 3-0, ERA 0.00, .412, .307

Second Team: