Photo: Charlie Muñiz (Cumberlands Athletics)
NAIA
PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Charlie Muñiz, Cumberland Patriots
Charlie Muñiz earned this honor last season and has easily earned it once again. Cumberland’s senior catcher is the Babe Ruth of NAIA with four seasons as an All American, two Mid South Conference Player of the Year honors and is the NAIA’s all time career leader in both career home runs and hits.
As the Patriots are headed to Lewiston once again, Muñiz is batting .445 with 18 doubles and 34 home runs for a staggering 1.000 slugging percentage. He also has a combined 43 walks and stolen bases to generate a .528 on base percentage.
RUNNER UPS
When you have to do a double-take, and then a triple take to make sure someone’s statistics are correct, that usually means they are having a monster of a season. Miguel Oropeza batted .531 this season with 18 home runs and 34 stolen bases for Talladega. His 38 walks and 19 HBPs allowed him to finish the season with a stunning .633 OB%.
With former NAIA all time home run leader Joey Grabanski no longer on the team, Jaidan Quinn filled in admirably to take over the leading slugger role for Concordia (NE). He had 25 home runs and 11 doubles in 165 at bats for a .879 slugging percentage. While his .358 batting average was solid, he drew 63 walks and was hit by a pitch 16 times to generate a spectacular .559 on base percentage.
To go undefeated into the NAIA World Series, a team has to have a wealth of talent, but LSUS’ Josh Gibson was something special this season. He led Pilot regulars with a .442 batting average, had 15 doubles, five triples and eight home runs as the team’s primary third baseman. He also added 52 stolen bases which is currently third nationally.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR – Isaac Rohde, LSU Shreveport Pilots
Any of LSU Shreveport’s three starting pitchers would be worthy of being named the NAIA’s top pitcher, but Isaac Rohde gets the nod over his teammates. Rohde threw a team high 105 ⅓ innings this season and only allowed 67 hits while striking out 130 batters. He has thrown five complete games and only issued 11 walks for a minuscule 0.74 WHIP.
RUNNER UPS
Draven Zeigler and Cobe Reeves have been just as dominant as their LSUS teammate this year. Zeigler’s 1.38 ERA is best on the team and he has thrown four complete games. He is holding opposition to a .182 batting average on the season while striking out 95 in 78 innings. Reeves has a 2.02 ERA, has struck out 103 batters in 80 innings while only allowing 51 hits after transferring from Southeastern.
While Charlie Muñiz helped lead NAIA to its third consecutive NAIA World Series, it was a team effort. Kailen Hamson has been just as valuable on the mound as Muñiz has been at the plate. The Australian ace has thrown 78 innings this season, allowing only 50 hits while striking out 121. He has a 2.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and has only allowed 14 extra base hits.
Missouri Baptist were one of NAIA’s top teams all season, thanks in large part to its pitching staff. Carter Sabol joined the team as a graduate player and earned the honor as the American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Year as he won the AMC Pitcher of the Week three times. He finished with a 2.61 ERA and 107 strikeouts in 76 innings while only allowing 62 hits and 19 walks for a 1.07 WHIP.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER – Miguel Oropeza, Talladega Tornadoes
Previously mentioned Miguel Oropeza’s year was astonishing. He led the Tornadoes in almost every offensive category, most by a substantial margin, and accounted individually for nearly 20% of his team’s total bases. He helped the team to a 43-14 final record, which set a new school high for win in a season, as well as their second straight HBCACU Baseball Championship.
RUNNER UPS
Webber International is headed to Lewiston for the second time in school history Noah Palmese with a deep pitching staff. They have been especially dominant in late innings with closer Noah Palmese. The senior struggled as a starter last season at Erskine, but has been brilliant this season. He had a 2.03 ERA over 24 appearances which include being credited with 14 saves and three wins. In 44 ⅓ innings he has held opposition to a .159 average with 64 strikeouts and only nine walks.
Keiser’s strong season was fueled on offense by Simon Grinberg. The senior outfield from Canada was named The Sun Conference Player of the Year as he started all but one game and led the team in several offensive categories including batting average (.388), home runs (18) and walks (50). He had a .798 slugging percentage and .531 on base percentage.
Oregon Tech’s Tyler Horner was named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Player of the Year for a second season as he helped the Owls have their best season in school history. Tech set a school record in wins as Horner hit .399 with 21 doubles. Four triples and 13 home runs. He had a combined 50 walks and HBPs to amass a .504 OB% as spend much of his time as the team’s catcher and threw out eight of 19 attempted base stealers.
COACH OF THE YEAR – Brad Neffendorf, LSU Shreveport Pilots
While Coach of the Year honors don’t typically go to the preseason favorite, it’s hard to argue against perfection. LSU Shreveport head coach Brad Neffendorf has guided the Pilots through a flawless campaign—undefeated in the regular season, the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament, and the NAIA Opening Round—putting a unique stamp on what was already a highly anticipated season.
Neffendorf’s Pilots posted a perfect 47–0 record in the regular season, claimed their fourth consecutive RRAC Regular Season Championship, and made a dominant run to their third NAIA World Series appearance under his leadership. Since taking over the program in January 2020, Neffendorf has turned LSU Shreveport into a perennial powerhouse. While expectations are now sky-high and anything less than a national title might feel like a letdown, the 2025 season is already one for the history books.