St. Olaf College announced that its baseball squad set a new program record this spring, placing seven players on the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) all-conference team for the 2026 season. The selection ties the 2000 and 2001 squads for the most honorees in school history, underscoring the team’s resurgence under second-year head coach Dave Esposito.
A Historic Conference Haul
The seven selections reflect a blend of offensive firepower and pitching dominance that helped the Oles finish the regular season with a 28-12 overall record and a 16-8 mark in MIAC play. The achievement marks the first time since the turn of the millennium that the program has matched its all-conference total, a milestone that has sparked excitement among alumni and current players alike.
Seniors led the charge, with Henry Black topping the conference in runs batted in (RBI) during league games, while Breckin Hadley contributed five home runs and a .600 slugging percentage. Junior Kanen Kreafle posted a .392 batting average and ranked third in hits, and Jack Pettit posted a .486 on-base percentage, both ranking among the league’s best.
Pitching was equally impressive. Senior Kevin Steel posted a 1.76 earned run average across six conference starts, placing him third in the MIAC, while sophomore Josiah Utsch led all relievers with a 1.42 ERA and held opponents to a .157 batting average.
Pitching Excellence
The duo of Steel and Utsch anchored a rotation that posted a collective 2.10 ERA in conference play, a figure that placed the Oles among the top defenses in the league. Their ability to limit runs proved decisive in several close victories down the stretch.
The collective accolades also highlight the program’s depth, as the seven honorees span a range of class years and positions, illustrating the team’s balanced attack. Coach Esposito praised the players’ work ethic, noting that the recognition is a testament to both individual talent and collective effort.