INDIANAPOLIS- The Great Midwest Athletes of the week for May 4th, 2026 are based on student-athlete performance from April 27th, 2026- May 4th, 2026.
 
North Division:
Pitcher
Brandon Swope / Tiffin University/ Jr. / Pitcher / Perrysburg, Ohio
Brandon Swope got the win in the series opener against Lake Erie to improve to 4-1. Swope tied his career-high in strikeouts with 11 and did not allow a hit in 5.0 innings of work.  
 
Player
Ryan Shimek / Ashland University/ Grad. Sr. / OF / Wooster, Ohio
Ryan went 6-11 for a .545 average against Hillsdale. That included 2 doubles with one being a walk off double to help us clinch the North Division Championship. Ashland is 23-8 in conference and 35-14 overall.  
 
South Division:
Pitcher
Jackson Phelps / Malone University/ Sr. / Pitcher / Medina, Ohio
Jackson Phelps struck out a career-high 12 batters in a 14-1 win over ODU where he threw a complete game, allowed just one hit and one run (unearned) and tied his season-low in walks at two 
 
 
Player
Eli Henderson / Cedarville University / Jr. / Shortstop / Clovis, Cal.
Eli Henderson batted .700 (7-for-10) with a double, triple, three runs, and three RBI as Cedarville extended its winning streak to seven with a four-game sweep of Thomas More. He added a walk, hit-by-pitch, one stolen base, six put outs, and eight assists.