The 2026 All-OVC Baseball Awards were recently announced, highlighting a season of exceptional performances across the conference. The ceremony, presented by FieldTurf, set the stage for the upcoming 2026 OVC Baseball Championship.
Ryan Niedzwiedz and TJ Grines shared the prestigious OVC Player of the Year honor. Niedzwiedz topped the league with 27 home runs, while Grines broke the stolen‑base record with 65 successful attempts, underscoring their all‑around impact.
Bryce Riggs earned OVC Pitcher of the Year after posting a 7‑2 record and a 3.32 ERA, reflecting a dominant stretch on the mound. Freshman standout Will Geary was recognized as OVC Freshman of the Year, having set a new Lindenwood stolen‑base record with 27.
Sean Lyons was named OVC Coach of the Year, guiding SIUE to its first regular‑season championship and delivering the program’s most successful campaign to date.
Statistical Highlights
SIUE led the conference with four first‑team selections, and the team’s 19 OVC victories are tied for the most in program history. The Cougars also set a school record with 104 home runs, while their defensive metrics rank 13th nationally in double plays and 15th in field percentage.
The award winners hail from a diverse set of institutions, including Southern Indiana, UT Martin, Eastern Illinois, and others, reflecting the broad competitiveness of the OVC this season.