12 Red Raiders claimed postseason honors for the 2018 baseball season as announced by the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) earlier today. 

Northwestern had three players earn first team honors; Reed Smith, Zachary Rosson and Dustin Gaither. Smith, now a three-time all-conference selection, is hitting .322 and ranks fifth in the GPAC with 39 runs scored, second most on the team. The senior has an on-base percentage of .464 as the team's leadoff hitter and totals 30 walks, five home runs and 27 RBIs. Rosson leads the team with a .351 batting average, ninth best in the conference. The sophomore catcher has three home runs to go with 22 RBIs and boasts a .981 fielding percentage behind the plate. Gaither, a second team selection last year, ranks tied for second in the GPAC with 16 doubles and bats .314 this season. Gaither is third on the team with 32 RBIs, has scored 26 runs and reached base in 24 consecutive games earlier this season.

Three Red Raiders were named to the second team; Christian Stekl, Noah McBride and Tanner Ortlund. Stekl is hitting .333 with a team-high 41 runs scored to go with 10 doubles, three home runs and 20 RBIs. The senior also is tied for the team lead with eight stolen bases and has 10 successful sacrifices so far this season. McBride has had an outstanding freshman campaign, going 6-2 with a 3.48 ERA on the mound. McBride has pitched four complete  games, one shutout and ranks eighth in the GPAC with 57 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. Ortlund is 1-2 with a GPAC-leading nine saves in transitioning as the team's closer after spending three season as a starting pitcher. The senior has a 4.50 ERA, striking out 24 batters in 20 innings pitched. 

Five Northwestern players claimed honorable mention honors; Matt Martin, Mitchell Kresnik, Victor Mena, Raphael DeHoyos and Michael Callahan. Martin ranks second on the team with a .340 batting average to go with a team-leading 37 RBIs. The senior has scored 28 runs, hit six home runs and eight doubles. Kresnik has had a breakout year as a starter in the Red Raiders pitching rotation. The senior leads the team in wins, going 7-2, with a 3.43 ERA. Kresnik has 42 strikeouts in 65.2 innings with just 12 walks. He is also hitting .233 with 13 runs scored at the plate. Mena, another member of the Red Raiders impressive starting rotation, is 3-3 with a very good 4.25 ERA. The senior has struck out 37 batters in 42.1 innings while walking 11. DeHoyos takes home the postseason honor for the second time, earning second team accolades last year. DeHoyos is 6-3 with a 7.91 ERA in nine starts this season. The senior has 37 strikeouts in 46.2 innings with one shutout. Callahan, now a two-time all-conference pick, hit .280 with 30 runs scored in his final season. The senior first baseman leads the team with eight home runs and ranks second with 35 RBIs.

Kresnik was also named to the nine-player Gold Glove Team as the Red Raiders third baseman. Kresnik sports a .939 fielding percentage, committing seven errors in 107 attempts.

Head Coach Brian Wede earned GPAC Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his 12-year career. Wede led the Red Raiders to both the GPAC Regular Season and Postseason Titles, the first time a team swept both since 2013 (also Northwestern). This is the fourth regular season title and third postseason championship for Coach Wede, who guides the Red Raiders to their fourth NAIA National Championship Opening Round next week. Wede also took home coach of the year honors in 2013.

Northwestern is 30-18 on the season and the No.5 seed in the Upland Bracket held at Taylor University in Upland, Ind.

GPAC Press Release | PDF