Prior to the start of the 2026 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament at Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio, on Wednesday (May 6) night, the circuit announced there were six Ashland University baseball honorees on the 2026 baseball season awards rolls – highlighted by head coach
John Schaly and sophomore right-handed pitcher
Drew Becker.
The 2026 Great Midwest Coach of the Year, Schaly has been named a conference Coach of the Year for the ninth time while guiding AU – and the second time in three seasons. He has led Ashland to a 35-14 overall mark and 23-8 in the league, and the Eagles are the top seed at the Great Midwest Tournament.
ALL-TIME ASHLAND UNIVERSITY BASEBALL CONFERENCE COACHES OF THE YEAR
John Schaly, 2026 (Great Midwest)
John Schaly, 2024 (Great Midwest)
John Schaly, 2019 (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference)
John Schaly, 2015 (GLIAC)
John Schaly, 2009 (GLIAC)
John Schaly, 2007 (GLIAC)
John Schaly, 2004 (GLIAC)
John Schaly, 2002 (GLIAC)
John Schaly, 1999 (GLIAC)
Brad Warnimont, 1995 (Great Lakes Valley Conference)
Becker is the second Eagle to be named Great Midwest Pitcher of the Year. So far this spring, he is 6-1 with a 2.97 earned-run average in 11 starts. Over 63 2/3 innings, he has struck out 87, walked 17 and allowed 47 hits and a .204 opponents' batting average.
ALL-TIME ASHLAND UNIVERSITY BASEBALL CONFERENCE PITCHERS OF THE YEAR
Drew Becker, 2026 (Great Midwest)
Brendan Beaver, 2023 (Great Midwest)
Brandyn Sittinger, 2016 (GLIAC)
Jake Baldwin, 2013 (GLIAC)
Ajay Meyer, 2011 (GLIAC)
Ajay Meyer, 2009 (GLIAC)
Ryan Hartzell, 2002 (GLIAC)
Andrew Niederst, 1999 (GLIAC)
Becker also is a first-team all-conference selection, along with senior third baseman
Ryan Shimek and graduate right-hander
Chase Carter. Shimek is hitting a team-best .379 with 35 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 38 RBIs and five stolen bases. Carter has a team-high four saves, to go with a 4-4 record, a 2.43 ERA, an opponents' batting average of .213 and 37 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
Ashland's second-team choices are junior righty
Jackson Grine and senior righty
David Smith. Grine is 5-0 with a 3.63 ERA in 15 appearances (eight starts), and has struck out 36 in 57 innings of work. Smith boasts a team-best 1.60 ERA in 16 relief outings, and is 2-0, has an opponents' batting average of .167, and has struck out 37 in 33 2/3 innings.
The Eagles will start the conference tourney on Wednesday at 6 p.m. vs. Ohio Dominican.
