The 2026 season is here and so are the weekly SSBR awards. In 2024 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.

Below you will see the winners for Small College (NCAA D2, NAIA, NCCAA) and JUCO.

Let’s take a look at the winners for Week 4 (Feb 23-Mar 1).

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Small College

Player of the Week

Kotaro Wakui, SWOSU

The junior from Nigata, Japan has quietly had a very solid season for the Bulldogs. Wakui came out of the gate hot and has kept his batting average well over .300 all season.

This past weekend, Wakui raised his average over .50 points in SWOSU’s sweep of Southern Nazarene.

Wakui’s line for the week

• (3 games) .777/.785/1.000, 4 RBI, 2B, 3B, 3 BB, 5 R, SB

Other nominees:

• Jason Carrell, Randall
• Amari Goodfellow, NWOSU

Pitcher of the Week

Kason Johnson, USAO

It’s been a rough go of it for the Drovers in 2026. Last week was a microcosm of that as USAO dropped a heart breaker midweek game to nationally ranked Ottawa and 2 of 3 to Central Christian in the weekend series.

A bright spot for USAO in that win was Kason Johnson. The sophomore from Walters gave the Drovers what they needed – a complete game shutout.

For the week:

• G 1/GS 1; 1-0, CG, 7 IP, 3 H, 9 K

Other nominees:
– Charlie Wilson, Randall
– Trey Barkman, NWOSU
– Conner Watson, SWOSU

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Junior College

Player of the Week

Noah Smith, NOC Enid

The Jets are in the midst of a 12 game winning streak and they are putting up gaudy numbers at the plate. It was Noah Smith’s turn this week as he had himself a day in the Saturday double header vs North Iowa Area CC.

For the week:

• (4 games) .444/.500/1.556, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 2B, BB, SB

Other nominees:
– N/A

Pitcher of the Week

Jayden Gould, Connors State

The Cowboys look like a tough out this season and Jayden Gould is a big reason why. The 6’7″, 270 lbs, freshman from Bokoshe can be dominant at times as he was in the Cowboys’ game 1 win vs Rose State this past week.

• G 1/GS 1, 1-0, CG, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 7 K

Other nominees:
– N/A

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