RIVER FOREST, ILL. -- Continuing to rack up the regional and national accolades, Brandon Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.) earned his first ever All-American award from D3baseball.com and followed it up a few hours later with his second All-American award from the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) / Rawlings. Mahler marked history by becoming the first Concordia University Chicago baseball player to earn these honors as a catcher. Right alongside him was Jake Mahler (Vernon Hills, Ill.), who earned his first ever All-American award from ABCA / Rawlings after his star-studded senior season. This is the first time in Concordia University Chicago baseball history that two brothers have earned this award together.

B. Mahler earned his spot on first team D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings as a catcher for his record-breaking senior season that's already earned him significant recognition. This year, he led the team in nearly every offensive category batting .472 and slugging .883. He co-led the team in single-season home runs with 16, notching his name second in the Cougar record book and the NACC record book for single-season home runs. This season, he broke the single-season record for RBIs (69), batting average (.472), slugging percentage (.883), and on base percentage (.567). B. Mahler led the NACC in slugging percentage, on base percentage, RBIs, and home runs while ranking in second in batting average, hits, and doubles. In addition to making waves in the conference, B. Mahler ranked fifth in the nation for single-season home runs for the majority of the year while finishing his career ranked top ten in the NCAA for home runs, RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, and total bases.  This season, B. Mahler was named first team ABCA/Rawlings All-Region and Region VIII Position Player of the Year, while earning his fourth consecutive NACC All-Conference accolade while being named the NACC Position Player of the Year. Throughout the season, B. Mahler picked up NACC Position Player of the Week three times.

"Brandon is the kind of player every coach hopes to have in their program," Head Coach Matt Smith said. "I couldn't be more proud of the man he's become. The work he's poured into these four years day after day, when no one was watching has paid off in the way only true commitment does. He's not just an All-American baseball player; he's the heartbeat and leader of this team. Brandon has left an imprint on this program that will last long after his playing days, and we're all better because he chose to be a part of this family."



J. Mahler earned his spot on the ABCA/Rawlings All-American second team list as a third baseman after a strong senior season. This year, he batted .420 while starting and appearing in all 43 games for the Cougars. He co-led the team in single-season home runs with 16, notching his name second in the Cougar record book and the NACC record book for single-season home runs. J. Mahler picked up 76 hits, ten doubles, two triples, and 59 RBIs this season while slugging .505. In the field, he was responsible for 27 putouts and 88 assists in his first season as the starting third baseman. J. Mahler led the NACC in home runs while ranking in the top five in batting average, hits, doubles, slugging percentage, on base percentage, and RBIs. In addition to making waves in the conference, J. Mahler ranked fifth in the nation for single-season home runs for the majority of the year while finishing his career ranked in the top 40 in the NCAA for home runs, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, and total bases. This season, J. Mahler earned his second ABCA/Rawlings All-Region recognition this year as a first team third baseman after being named to second team last season as a designated hitter. J. Mahler earned his second consecutive NACC All-Conference accolade this year after being named first team for his work this season. Throughout the season, J. Mahler earned NACC Position Player of the Week after helping to guide the Cougars to wins over Benedictine University and St. Norbert College. 





"Jake's path to becoming an All-American is one of the most impressive evolutions I've ever seen in college baseball," Coach Smith said. "He didn't start his career as a freshman starter, he earned every inning and every opportunity. Each year he gained more and more time because of his dedication to his craft and his relentless drive to be the best version of himself. Last season, he became an All-Region designated hitter, and this year he took on a brand-new challenge by moving to third base, a position he hadn't played consistently his entire career. Not only did he embrace that role, he became an All-Conference, All-Region, and now an All-American third baseman in just one year. Watching him grow as a player, a leader, and a man has been incredible. He deserves every bit of this recognition, and I couldn't be more proud of him."

Together this season, the Mahler brothers have dominated the rankings of Cougar Baseball, NACC Baseball, and as these postseason accolades indicate, NCAA Baseball. The pair graduated from Concordia this past spring after their four-year stint with Cougar Baseball. 

"What Brandon and Jake have accomplished is no small task," Coach Smith noted. "The hard work these two have poured into the last four years is a true testament to their unmatched work ethic. Watching them grow not just into elite, All-American baseball players, but into exceptional leaders has been one of the greatest privileges of my coaching career. Having one All-American on a roster is special. Having two in the same year, twin brothers no less, is something only Disney could dream up. People say twins do everything together, and in this case, it couldn't be more true. Brandon and Jake have left an imprint on this program, this university, and every person fortunate enough to cross their path. Their legacy will be felt here for a long time."

Click here to view the complete list of D3baseball.com 2026 All-Americans.
Click here to view the complete list of ABCA/Rawlings 2026 All-Americans.