SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (Jan. 27) – California (PA) senior starting pitcher Michael Valente earned preseason National Collegiate Baseball Association (NCBWA) First-Team All-Region status on Tuesday morning.

Valente received second-team all-region accolades from the organization in 2025, as well as recognition from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA). He shattered his career highs in every statistical category last year while tying the single-season school record with 10 victories – a mark originally set during the 2011 campaign.

A 6-foot-0 senior, Valent helped the Vulcans set the school record for wins last spring while advancing to both the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship and NCAA Tournament for the first time in 15 years. He entered the post-season with an unblemished 10-0 record after earning the win in all 10 of his starts during the regular season.

Cal looks to open the campaign in three-plus weeks by hosting a three-game series versus Ohio Dominican on Feb. 21-22 at EQT Park in Washington, Pennsylvania. The Panthers advanced to the finals of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Tournament in 2025 for the second time in three years.