June 23, 2026

GREENWOOD, Ind. – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday the 2026 Academic All-America® baseball teams for NCAA Division I-II-III and NAIA, headlined by Cameron DeMaria from Dakota State (S.D.).

He was selected to the Academic All-District® earlier this month and advanced to the national ballot.  The CSC recognizes the nation's top student athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.

The criteria to the CSC Academic honor would need to have a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA), be at least a sophomore academically, and be a significant contributor (starter/important reserve) in their sport, with specific participation minimums like 90 percent of the contests.

DeMaria was selected to Frontier Conference First Team All-Conference infielder last May.  He broke the single school record of 66 runs batted in (RBIs) and tied a career record home runs with 30 home runs.

DeMaria's single school records in 2026 included tied for fifth most total bases with 111, tied for sixth with 13 home runs, and tied ninth with 64 hits.  He also tied for second most single season home runs with 14 in 2025, as well as fifth all-time in career RBIs with 124.

DeMaria led Dakota State with .374 batting average (64-of-171 at the plate) and .649 slugging percentage this spring.  He recorded 12 home runs, 11 doubles, scored 41 times, recorded 30 walks, and was hit-by-pitch 20 times.

DeMaria finished his career with .355 batting average for the Trojans.  He played in 118 games and started in 106 games.  He was 130-of-366 at the plate and produced .660 slugging percentage.  He added 27 career doubles, 48 walks, and was hit by pitch 32 times. 

He collected NAIA and conference (North Star and Frontier) scholar athletes during his career at Dakota State. 

Cameron, a native of Fresno, Calif., is a graduate business student at DSU.