FLORENCE, SC – Following statistically one of the best seasons in NCAA Division II history, Francis Marion University redshirt junior right fielder Charlie Bussey III was named the Player of the Year by D2 Baseball for his performance during the 2026 campaign.

A native of Graniteville, S.C, Bussey III was a consensus First-Team All-American while also claiming Southeast Region Player of the Year by all four major organizations. He became just the second player in Conference Carolinas history to win Player of the Year twice. Additionally, Bussey III was named first-team all-region and all-conference selection while also being selected to the Conference Carolinas All-Defensive Team as a right fielder.

This season, he became one of only three players in NCAA Division II history to eclipse 100 hits and 100 runs scored in a single season. He shattered the Division II record for runs scored with 118 and 1.97 runs scored per game in a season. Bussey III also finished in a tie for 10th all-time with 113 hits in a single season. These contributions helped Francis Marion score 669 runs as a squad, the third-most in DII history.

He led the country in batting average (.489), hits (113), on-base percentage (.604), runs scored (118), and total bases (200) while ranking fifth in slugging percentage (.866) and sixth in walks (57). Bussey III reached base safely in 58-of-60 games played while leading the team with 38 multi-hit games. He is the program's all-time home run leader with 35 and has set single-season records for batting average, hits, runs scored, slugging percentage, total bases, and walks.

Francis Marion made its first-ever trip to Super Regionals in 2026 and shattered the program record for single-season wins after posting an impressive 46-14 mark. The Patriots earned an NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2012 and came one game shy of reaching the NCAA Division II College World Series.


   Charlie Bussey III