The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) unveiled its annual postseason honors on Monday, and the Dakota Wesleyan University baseball team had plenty to celebrate. Leading the charge was junior outfielder Mason Riley, who earned a spot on the prestigious GPAC Gold Glove team for his stellar defensive work in left field.
Riley, a Sioux Falls Jefferson graduate, was a defensive anchor for the Tigers all spring. His .984 fielding percentage—with 58 putouts and just one error—speaks volumes about his consistency and range. But Riley wasn't just a glove-first player. He also paced the team with 10 home runs and a team-high 32 RBIs, while hitting .281 with a .360 on-base percentage. That kind of two-way production is exactly what coaches look for in a Gold Glove-caliber outfielder.
Four other Tigers earned GPAC honorable mention nods, showcasing the depth of this DWU squad. Senior pitcher Alex Mizsak, out of Jordan, Minnesota, headlined the group after a dominant season on the mound. Mizsak logged 79.2 innings, posting a 5.87 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP while striking out a team-best 65 batters. His 8-2 record tied for the second-most wins in the conference—a testament to his ability to deliver in big moments.
Junior Caleb Meyers, a two-way standout from Farmington, Minnesota, made his presence felt in every phase of the game. On the mound, he racked up 63 strikeouts and three wins. At the plate, he led the Tigers with a .300 batting average, adding 29 RBIs and four home runs. Versatility like that is gold in college baseball.
Senior Dexter Payne, a Sioux Falls Roosevelt graduate, also contributed on both sides of the ball. He hit .295 with 30 RBIs and three home runs, while posting a career-best 4.38 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP as a pitcher. Payne's 40 strikeouts and two wins capped a memorable final season in a Tigers uniform.
Rounding out the list of DWU honorees was senior infielder Kelbee Woodham of Chipley, Florida. Woodham provided steady production all season, batting .279 with 18 RBIs and four home runs.
On the conference-wide stage, Briar Cliff's Cade Marquardt was named GPAC Player of the Year, Concordia's Alex Johnson took home Pitcher of the Year honors, Morningside's Romani Perez earned Freshman of the Year, and Doane's Josh Oltmans was voted Coach of the Year. Doane captured the GPAC tournament championship on Monday with a thrilling 17-16, 10-inning win over Concordia. Both teams now advance to the NAIA tournament, which kicks off May 11.