The Mid-American Conference unveiled its 2026 baseball specialty award winners, spotlighting the Miami RedHawks' remarkable season and a host of individual accolades.
Coach of the Year: A Repeat Triumph
Brian Smiley captured his second straight Coach of the Year award after guiding the RedHawks to a 25‑8 conference record, the program’s best ever, and securing the top seed for the MAC Tournament.
Under Smiley’s direction, the team posted a 20‑out‑of‑21 conference series winning streak, a run that helped them finish the regular season ranked among the top 40 in the RPI and within the nation’s top five in several offensive metrics.
Player of the Year: Power Surge
Tommy Harrison was named MAC Player of the Year, breaking the school’s single‑season RBI record with 85 and topping the conference in home runs, hits and total bases.
His 85 RBIs eclipsed the previous mark and underscored a season in which the RedHawks shattered multiple program benchmarks.
Freshman of the Year: Rising Star
Diego Cruz earned Freshman of the Year honors after batting .391, ranking second nationally among freshmen, and delivering 72 hits, 57 runs, 47 RBIs and seven home runs across 50 starts.
Cruz’s rapid ascent added depth to a lineup that already boasted veteran power.
All‑MAC Honors and National Recognition
Evan Appelwick earned Second Team All‑MAC honors and led the nation with 60 walks, while also setting career records for walks, home runs and RBIs. Austin Berggren, a First Team selection, paced the staff with a 3.86 ERA and held opponents to a .248 batting average.
Clayton Burke joined the All‑MAC Second Team as a starting pitcher, finishing the season 9‑1, and Carson Raether contributed 42 hits, 40 runs, 38 RBIs and eight home runs in 38 appearances.
Marcus Dierks, an outfielder, climbed to eighth nationally in stolen bases with 39, further diversifying the RedHawks’ offensive arsenal.
A Program Poised for Continued Success
The combination of award‑winning coaching, record‑breaking performances and national statistical rankings positions the Miami RedHawks as a formidable force heading into future seasons.