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.

This week was a little different as the weather caused havoc on the schedule. Teams played less games or no games at all so the sample sizes were smaller. Also, several weekend series weren’t completed until Monday, so we pushed back the award a day as well.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the winners for Week 4.

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Small College

Player of the Week

Trent Kiraly (INF), OCU Stars

The Stars may be struggling to start the season, but Kiraly has been as steady as ever. He leads the Stars in HR, RBI, Total Bases, Runs, and SLG %. He is also 2nd on the team in AVG and Hits.

This past week was by far Kiraly’s best week. OCU was able to get a game in vs Sterling on Monday night before the deep freeze hit on Tuesday so Kiraly played 4 games where most just got 3 in. Kiraly showed why he is a 2x All SAC Team player and one of the favorites for SAC Player of the Year in 2025. In his 4 games, five of Kiraly’s 11 hits were the extra base variety.

Kiraly’s line for the week: G 4, 11-14, .786/.810/1.43, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 3 2B, 6 R

Other players considered:

• Gage Ninness, USAO Drovers: G 3, .640/.690/1.00, 4 RBI, 2 2B, 3B, 3 R, SB
• Lucas Schaefer, OBU Bison: G 3, .384/.428/1.15, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 2B, 3B, BB
• Joey Thornton, SCU Eagles: G 3, .500/.500/.750, 4 RBI, 2B, R
• Austin Thorp, SE OK St Savage Storm: G 3, .571/.571/1.286, HR, 4 RBI, 3B
• Noel McGarry-Doyle, MACU Evangels: G 3, .461/.533/.846, HR, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 2 BB, 5 R, 2 SB
• Jorge Aldrete, OK Wesleyan Eagles: G 3, .417/.417/.909, HR, 7 RBI, 2 2B

Pitcher of the Week

Frangley Morel (RHP), Southwestern Christian Eagles

The Eagles came into the weekend’s SAC opening series with OCU riding a 12 game winning streak. Playing the long time SAC power would provide a good test to see where the Eagles are at this point in the season.

After losing to the Stars, 11-6, in game 1, the Eagles tied the series in game 2 of Saturday’s double header.

Morel got the start in the deciding game 3 and provided just what SCU needed – a strong performance. It was so strong, Morel went the complete 9 innings and threw 140 pitches.

Morel’s line: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, CG, 9 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 11 K

Others considered:

• Tyson Noel, USAO Drovers: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
• Fabian Hernandez, MACU Evangels: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 11 K
• Evan Foor, OK Wesleyan Eagles: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

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JUCO

Player of the Week

Austin Haley (INF), Murray State Aggies

Haley is one of 2 athletes to win an SSBR award for the 2nd time this year. The difference is Haley won his first award as a pitcher, this time it is as a position player.

Haley has been outstanding for the Aggies at the plate this season. In his 14 games at the plate, Haley is batting at a .553 clip with 6 HRs, and 25 RBI. What may the most impressive stat is Haley has struck out only 5 times with only 1 of them in the last 12 games.

Haley’s line: G 3, 8-13, .615/.706/1.69 (2.40 OPS), 4 HR, 11 RBI, 3B, 3 BB, 9 R, SB

Others considered:

• Connor Cox, CASC Vikings: G 2, 5-6, .833/.833/1.33, 3 RBI, 2B, 3B, 3 R, SB
• Jesse Ponce, NOC Enid Jets: G 3, 5-8, .625/.769/1.125, 6 RBI, 2 2B, 3B, 4 R

Pitcher of the Week

Gage Elliot (RHP), Carl Albert State Vikings

The other athlete to win a 2nd SSBR Weekly Award this season is Gage Elliot. Elliot wins the award back to back weeks after his performance on the road at Connors State.

Elliot pitched his second consecutive 7 inning complete game against a formidable NJCAA D1 opponent. He was slightly better this week than he was the previous week vs Panola.

On the season, Elliot has thrown 23 innings in 4 starts with a 1.57 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He’s 3-0 with 16 Ks against 8 walks.

Elliot’s line: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, CG, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Others considered:

• Tayte Dome, Murray State Aggies: 2 G, 6 IP, H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 K
• Grayson Smith, Eastern OK State Mountaineers: G 1/GS 1, 1-0, CG, 7 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 11 K

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