All‑OVC Honors Celebrate Redhawks' Breakout Season
The 2026 All‑Ohio Valley Conference baseball squads have been released, and Southeast Missouri State University celebrates six of its own earning spots on the prestigious teams. The Redhawks placed two athletes on the first team, two on the second team, and another pair on the all‑Freshman squad, underscoring the program’s depth and rising talent.
Among the honorees, senior Joe Hall secured a first‑team berth after a commanding conference campaign that saw him bat .374, launch six home runs, add seven doubles and drive in 28 runs. His all‑round performance helped anchor the lineup and contributed to the team’s overall competitiveness.
Pitcher Nathan Mertens earned a second consecutive first‑team selection, leading the nation in walks per nine innings at 3.05 and posting a strikeout‑to‑walk ratio of 17.67. His dominance on the mound highlighted the Redhawks’ pitching strength and earned him repeat recognition.
Brooks Kettering, also a second‑team pick, posted a .351 average in league play and etched his name into the program’s history by becoming the second‑most prolific walk‑getter in SEMO annals. His patience at the plate has become a hallmark of his collegiate career.
Freshman standouts Tank Sims and Matt Wnukowski made their initial All‑OVC Freshman Team appearances. Sims finished the regular season with a .259 average and a .247 mark in conference games, while Wnukowski appeared in 16 games, posting a 5.40 earned‑run average in his debut collegiate season.
Looking ahead, the Redhawks are slated to open play in the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Wednesday, May 20, marking the start of their quest for conference glory.
The recognitions reflect a season of growth for Southeast Missouri State baseball, with individual accolades underscoring the team’s promising trajectory as it prepares for postseason competition.