The beginning of the 2025 season is here and so are the weekly SSBR awards. Last year we began bringing attention to individual performances turned in by those on small college (NCAA D2, NAIA, NCCAA) teams and junior colleges.

Each week we send out nomination forms to the head coaches of each team in the various divisions above. We ask them to nominate only 1 position player and 1 pitcher with their stats for the week and any context they feel would help their player. We look at those nominations and choose the player or pitcher in each category that we feel had the best week. Also, each player or pitcher nominated will get recognized even if they don’t win.

Without any further ado, here are the winners for Week 1 for 2025.

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Small College

Player of the Week

Jhors Gomez (2B), Southwestern Christian University

Before we get to the week Gomez had, we have to give a special shout out to Lance Barnett of Cameron University. As you’ll see in the stats below, Barnett had a monster week.

That is what makes the week Gomez had for the Eagles even more impressive. Overall Gomez had just a better week than Barnett had for Cameron.

As we mentioned in our “5 Things You Should Know” piece from Monday, Gomez had one of the best games you’ll see. Gomez hit for the cycle in their last game of the weekend with 2 home runs included in his 5 overall hits.

Gomez was an NAIA All American and the NCCAA Player of the Year in 2023. A start to the 2025 season like this and Gomez looks to get back to those accolades in 2025.

Gomez line: G 4, .705 AVG (12-17), .800 OPB, 1.35 SLG (2.135 OPS), 2 HR, 14 RBI, 3 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 10 R

Other nominees:
– Lance Barnett, Cameron: G 4, .563 AVG (9-16), .764 OBP, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 4 2B, 3B, 4 BB, 8 R, HBP
– Jaden Wiley, USAO: G 4, .625 AVG (5-8), .600 OBP, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB
– Javier Marcial, OKWU: .700 AVG (7-10), .750 OBP, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 2B, 2 BB
– Alejandro Hernandez, OPSU: .286 AVG, HR (walk off), 2 2B, 5 RBI

Pitcher of the Week

Kyler Denton (RHP), USAO Drovers

The senior from Ft Cobb-Broxton has been sneaky good for the Droves since arriving in Chickasha for the 2024 season. Denton and Brian Ereu provide a really good 1-2 punch in the Drovers’ rotation.

The Drovers played #12 Kansas Wesleyan for the 2nd time this past weekend and Denton got the call for this game after the Coyotes beat the Drovers the day before. Denton provided just what the Drovers needed as he held the Coyotes in check allowing the Drovers to win comfortably, 11-2.

Denton had great command as he allowed only 3 hits and no walks in his outing.

Denton’s line: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 6 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K

Other nominees:
– Josh Martinez, Cameron: G 2, 1-0, 4 IP, 2 H, 3 K
– Braden Greene, OPSU: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

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Junior College

Player of the Week

Blade Carver (C), NOC Tonkawa

The 2024 NJCAA All American and 2025 Player of the Year candidate picked up where he left off last season. In a 4 game sweep to open the season, Carver stood out just a little bit more as he looks to lead the Mavs beyond the District Tournament this season.

Carver is a true national player of the year type player and he showed why this weekend.

Carver’s line: G 4, .571 AVG (8-14), .625 OBP, 1.214 SLG (1.839 OPS), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 3 R

Other nominees:
– Jack Runsick, Eastern: G 3, .467 AVG (7-15), HR, 10 RBI, 3B, SB
– Blake Vanderburg, Carl Albert State: .500 (5-10), 3 RBI, 3 BB, 5 R
– Zack Makarewich, Murray State: .312 AVG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2B

Pitcher of the Week

Austin Hailey, Murray State College

Murray State took on a daunting task this past week scheduling a last minute double header at Division 1, #1 Blinn. The Aggies lost the first game before Austin Hailey took the mound for Murray State in game 2.

All Hailey did was dominate the defending D1 National Champions allowing his team to win game 2 and split the double header.

On top of that, Hailey helped his own cause at the plate by going 2-5 with an RBI and a 2B.

Hailey’s line: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 6.1 IP, H, 0 R, BB, 10 K

Other nominees:
– Duke Walker, Carl Albert State: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 4 K

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