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 5 (Mar 9-Mar 15).

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Small College

Player of the Week

Andres Contreras, Rogers State

Rogers State has quietly been the nicest surprise story in the state this season. They are currently on a 12 game winning streak and sit atop the MIAA standings by percentage points.

One of the reasons for that is they have had several different players this season provide big numbers. That was no different this last week, but Contreras was a head above everyone else.

Not only is he our Small College Player of the Week, he won the award for the MIAA as well.

Contreras’ line for the week

• (4 games) .632/.667/.1.053, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 2 2B, BB, 8 R

Other nominees:

• N/A

Pitcher of the Week

Fabian Hernandez, MACU

Hernandez is no stranger to this award, but it is his first for 2026.

Needing a bounce back after losing the series the week prior, Hernandez set the tone for the series vs OCU as he was dominant before leaving the game in the bullpen’s hands.

For the week:

• G 1/GS 1; 0-0, 6 IP, 6 H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K

Other nominees:
– N/A

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Junior College

Player of the Week

Zach Pearrow, Redlands CC

The Cougars needed a good week last week and they got one. Redlands went 4-1 last week with a midweek win vs Rose State and a 3-1 series win vs Seward.

Zach Pearrow is a huge reason why. He led the Cougars in just about every offensive category including a walk off bombski in game 1 of the series with Seward

For the week:

• (5 games) .500/.521/.954, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 2B, 5 R, BB

Other nominees:
– Eikel Joaquin, Carl Albert State
– JM Long, Eastern OK State
– Alexander Mendoza, Jr, Western

Pitcher of the Week

Jeylem Sepulveda, Western

This is the 2nd time Sepulveda has been tabbed as the pitcher of the week for the season. Sepulveda won 2 games this week as the Pioneers swept NOC Tonkawa to start Region 2 play.

• G 2, 2-0, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K

Other nominees:
– Jase Chambers, Redlands
– Brandon Green, Eastern

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