MASON, Ohio - The Great Midwest Athletic Conference coaches selected the 2026 baseball season awards with Walsh Cavalier Brody Acres headlining as the Great Midwest Player of the Year.
 
Acres, a shortstop, averaged a .395 hitting average during the 2026 season.  He also found ten home runs, 47 RBIs and a .712 slugging percentage. The senior led the Cavaliers to their second consecutive South Division title and the No. 2 seed in the conference championship.
 
Alongside Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year was voted as Ashland’s Drew Becker and Freshman of the Year is Ohio Dominican Panther Gavin Lawler.  The Great Midwest Elite 26 Award is Findlay’s Dylan Rouse, a junior majoring in Business Administration.
 
Becker is a right-hand pitcher with a 2.97 ERA during the 2026 season. He leads the league in strikeouts with 87 this season,while allowing just 47 hits. Becker has recorded a league-high six wins, including two complete games. Becker was a first team selection alongside teammates Ryan Shimek and relief pitcher Chase Carter. The Eagles are led by 2026 Coach of the Year John Schaly, who led AU to a 35-14 overall record and a North Division title.  
 
ODU’s Lawler had an outstanding Freshman season, ranking in the top five in batting-average at .391 with 128 at-bats. He’s scored 51 runs and has connected on 50 hits, including 17 doubles. Lawler led the Panthers to a postseason berth as the No. 8 seed.
 
The conference also voted on the Cedarville Yellow Jackets for the Sportsmanship Award.
 
The baseball championships begin today, Wednesday, May 6, with Northwood and Findlay kicking off the games at Noon.
 
Live coverage can be found on Flo College.
 
Additional championship information can be found on the Championship Central page.

A full list of honorees can be found HERE.