A milestone of academic distinction
Western Michigan University’s baseball team has once again topped the Mid-American Conference with the most representatives on the 2026 Baseball Academic All-MAC Team. The conference recognized fifteen student‑athletes from the Broncos, continuing a three‑year run of leading the league in academic honorees.
The Academic All-MAC distinction requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 and participation in at least half of the team’s contests, underscoring the balance of classroom commitment and on‑field contribution.
Standout performances accompany academic accolades
Junior right‑hander Tanner Mally has surged to the top of the national batting charts, posting a .446 average that stands as the highest single‑season mark at Western Michigan since 1965. His precision at the plate has helped the Broncos maintain a potent offense.
Graduate student Michael Maloney earned co‑Defensive Player of the Year honors in the MAC, adding to his selections on the All‑MAC First Team, the CSC Academic All‑District squad, and as a semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which recognizes the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.
Other contributors include junior Cooper Hums, who launched the first two home runs of his collegiate career in consecutive games at Eastern Michigan; senior Turner Doran, who topped the conference with ten saves and finished his career among the program’s all‑time leaders; senior Avery Thielman, who batted .319 and tied for the team lead with six homers; senior DJ Thompson, who appeared in a team‑high 27 relief outings and posted a 3.69 ERA; and sophomore Nolan Zajac, who started 47 games behind the plate and ranked second in the league with eleven sacrifice bunts.
A legacy of combined excellence
Coach Jim Briggs emphasized that the program’s success is rooted in a culture that values both scholarly achievement and athletic competitiveness. The consistent presence of Broncos on the Academic All‑MAC list reflects a sustained commitment to developing well‑rounded student‑athletes.
The university’s athletic department and academic support services have worked in tandem to provide resources that enable players to excel in the classroom while competing at the highest level. This synergy has positioned Western Michigan as a model for other programs seeking to blend academic rigor with athletic ambition.