NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- Capping standout careers on and off the field for Christopher Newport baseball, seniors Sam Benedict and Josh Reinhold each hauled in Academic All-District recognition from the College Sports Communicators on Tuesday afternoon. Reinhold becomes the first three-time Academic All-District selection for CNU baseball and Benedict picks up his second career certificate. 

Reinhold is the 14th CNU athlete in any sport to garner CSC Academic All-District honors three times in his career, joining Aimee Gibbs (Women's Cross Country), Carson Pokorny (Women's Soccer), Zoe Stauffer (Women's Track & Field), Dylan Rice (Men's Lacrosse), Adrianna DeSantis (Women's Track & Field), Abby Asuncion (Field Hockey), Daniel Ferrante (Men's Cross Country and Track & Field), Mason Field (Men's Soccer), Trevor Smith (Men's Soccer), Kyleigh Gough (Women's Soccer), Hanna Heaton (Women's Soccer), Alyssa Dozier (Volleyball), and Katie Abendschoen (Field Hockey). Additionally, Benedict joins an elite list of just five players in program  history to earn the prestigious academic honor more than once in his career with his second career recognition. He joins an group that includes Craig Johnson (2017, 2018), Jay Cassady (2022, 2023), Jack Braley (2023, 2024), and Reinhold (2024, 2025, 2026). 

The Division III CSC Academic All-District Baseball Teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. Student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or better, be of at least sophomore class standing, and participate in a specific amount of games during the season to qualify. 

This season, Benedict earned first team All-Conference honors after starting 35 games in the CNU infield during the 2026 season. A standout defensive player, Benedict recorded a .987 fielding percentage with just two errors in 151 total chances in the field with time at third and second base. Adding a career year at the plate, Benedict ranked second on the team with a .361 average after raking a career-high 52 base hits during the year. The Glastonbury, Conn. native walked 17 times with just 10 strikeouts while posting a .423 on-base percentage and led the team in stolen bases with ten. He had nine doubles with 19 RBI and 36 runs scored

Off the field, Benedict graduated with a stellar cumulative grade-point average with a degree in Business Management. He has earned multiple selections to the Coast-To-Coast Academic All-Conference Team. 

Reinhold was an honorable mention All-Conference selection at shortstop after capping a standout career for the Captains. He graduated with 192 career hits, ranking tenth all-time, and 143 runs scored, ranking ninth. His exceptional eye at the plate led to 113 career walks, ranking second most all-time, and helped the Lewes, Del. native reach base in 144 of his 154 career games played. This season, he hit .310 in 34 starts while adding 40 hits, 26 RBI, and 35 runs scored to his ledger. He had 10 extra-base hits and was a perfect 9-for-9 on the basepaths. 

In the classroom, the three-time Academic All-District pick rounded out his tenure with a GPA well above the 3.50 standard while majoring in Finance with a minor in Leadership Studies. Reinhold is a four-time Academic All-Conference selection in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference. 

Christopher Newport reached the NCAA Regional Championship game for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Captains finished out the year with a 26-17 overall record.

For a complete list of the 2025-26 Academic All-District selections, clicck here.