FLORENCE, SC – Three members of the Francis Marion University baseball team – redshirt junior catcher Zander Buchan, junior left-handed pitcher Aydin Palmer, and senior first baseman Riley Orr – have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team for 2026.

Selected by CSC, the All-District Team recognizes the area's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions: NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.

All-District® honorees selected as finalists (Orr) advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot, with the Academic All-America® honorees to be announced in late June.

Buchan, a native of Columbia, S.C., has a 3.63 GPA while pursuing a bachelor's degree in management information systems. In 52 games with 45 starts, he posted a .323 batting average with 51 hits, 10 doubles, four homers, 35 runs batted in, 43 runs scored, and 48 walks. Buchan registered 12 multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI performances in his first season with the Patriots. He also produced a .991 fielding percentage behind the plate with 14 caught stealing, 35 assists, and just three errors. Buchan has been named to both the FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll and the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll in every semester at Francis Marion.

Palmer, a local that hails from Effingham, S.C., holds a 3.64 GPA as a business major. In his first season with the Patriots. He produced a 10-2 record, and one save on the mound in 16 appearances with 12 starts in his initial season with the program. Over 68.0 innings pitched, Palmer totaled 75 strikeouts and 36 walks. He also garnered NCBWA Southeast Region and Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week honors in 2026. Palmer has been named to both the FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll and the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll during both semesters attending FMU.

A native of Maryville, Tenn., Orr maintains a 3.89 GPA as a management major. He has been named to both the FMU Swamp Fox Athletic-Academic Honor Roll and the Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor in the fall and spring semesters this academic year.

In 2026, Orr was named a Second-Team All-American by the D2CCA and ABCA, while also garnering all-region status from both organizations. He also was tabbed to the All-Conference Carolinas Second-Team and was a two-time Player of the Week in the league. Orr started all 60 games for the Patriots and ranked ninth in NCAA Division II with 78 runs batted in while also sitting 15th in hit by pitches (24). He produced a .373 batting average with 84 hits, 11 home runs, 70 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in his final season of collegiate baseball. Orr tied for second on the team with 23 multi-RBI games and fourth with 24 multi-hit performances.

This trio helped lead the Patriots to a 46-14 record, setting a new single-season record for wins. FMU made its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2012 and reached Super Regionals for the first time in program history. The Patriots were ranked ninth nationally in the most recent ABCA NCAA Division II Baseball Coaches Poll.

Buchan is a graduate of A.C. Flora High School, while Palmer is product of South Florence High School. Orr is a graduate of Maryville High School.