After clinching the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular season title, the Miami University RedHawks baseball team received 12 regular season awards for its performance, the most in the conference.
Marcus Dierks CF
In his first season with the RedHawks, the junior center fielder hit .387, with 30 RBIs, 41 walks and a team high 39 stolen bases (eighth in the nation). Dierks is an elite lead-off hitter, utilizing consistent contact and speed that keeps MAC coaches awake at night. He qualified for the All-MAC First Team as an “at-large” honoree.
With a .993 fielding percentage and only one error charged to his name, Miami’s center fielder was a strong contender for the All-MAC Defensive Team as well.
Diego Cruz 2B
Cruz proved himself in his first year with the RedHawks, winning MAC Freshman of the Year. The Puerto Rican native hit an impressive .391, with 47 RBIs and seven home runs in his rookie campaign. With a fielding percentage of .972 and recording just six errors, Cruz shined in the spotlight.
His numbers were not just exceptional for a freshman. Cruz continued to rack up conference recognition, being named to the All-MAC First Team and the All-MAC Defensive Team.
Tommy Harrison RF
Harrison emerged as a stalwart in the Miami lineup throughout 2026. His .402 batting average was good for ninth in the NCAA, and he also knocked in 85 RBIs, second in the nation. Harrison locked his position on the All-MAC First Team almost immediately.
The imposing redshirt junior swaggered out to his walk-up song “Here Comes the Money” en route to dominate opposing hitting. As the cornerstone of the elite RedHawk lineup, Harrison was named MAC Player of the Year.
Austin Berggren RHP
The mustachioed senior reliever was a force out of the bullpen this season for the RedHawks. With an ERA of 3.86, Berggren finished the regular season with a 3-4 record, recording seven saves. The Kansas native rounded into exceptional form after the midway point of the season, establishing himself as an integral arm in the Miami bullpen. As an All-MAC First Team talent, Berggren will be a lynchpin for any RedHawk post-season success.
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Evan Appelwick 1B
Coming off an exceptional junior season with Miami, Applewick’s production appeared to have slowed. Although the RedHawk slugger did not challenge home run records like many fans hoped, he made up for it with his keen eye at the plate. Batting .285 and leading the NCAA with 60 walks, the South Dakota native still made opposing hurlers pay, blasting 13 home runs this season. His .984 fielding percentage boosted his resume for All-MAC Second Team honors.
Clayton Burke RHP
In a hitters conference like the MAC, having a consistent starter like Burke pays dividends. A 4.23 ERA, a 7:2 strikeout to walk ratio and an ability to reduce unforced errors are all key factors to his 9-1 record. He sits at ninth in the NCAA wins column as a starter. Earning All-MAC Second Team recognition, Burke provided relief for the bullpen and allowed the RedHawk offense to put the game out of reach before he left the contest.
Carson Raether C
The hallmark of a good catcher is elite defense, and Raether is one of the best in the conference. With a fielding percentage of .983, strong rapport with the pitching staff and just five errors to his name, Raether is elite at keeping unforced errors to a minimum. What makes a catcher exceptional is the ability to impact the game on offense. Hitting .300, with 39 RBIs and 29 walks, the RedHawk backstop brought his bat into the equation. Raether received All-MAC Second Team honors for his tremendous season.
Head coach Brian Smiley
The RedHawks’ skipper received the MAC Coach of the Year award for the second consecutive season. At the helm, Smiley led Miami to an overall record of 38-15 positioning themselves at 37 in the Rating Percentage Index. They knocked off two Big Ten Conference opponents, finishing the regular season second in walks and on-base percentage nationally this season. He has constructed an offensive force with this dominant Miami lineup.
The RedHawks have terrorized the MAC with their exceptional play this season, losing only a single series. Dominating opponents and positioning themselves with among the best statistics in the nation, Miami raked in the awards at the end of an unprecedented regular season.
The RedHawks will look to add to their trophy case Thursday, May 21 at ForeFront Field in Avon, Ohio. Miami’s first game of the double elimination tournament starts at 2 p.m. against the Northern Illinois University Huskies. The team will look to start just as hot as they did in the regular season on its quest for the postseason.
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