KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced new Athletes of the Week from the fourth week of the 2026 baseball season. Emporia State swept Arkansas-Fort Smith in the first MIAA series of the season to also sweep this week’s Athlete of the Week honors with Noah Steele was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week and Colby Deaver was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the second straight week.
MIAA HITTER OF THE WEEK: Noah Steele, Emporia State
Noah Steele finished 6-for-10 with two homers, one double, ten RBI, six walks, and nine runs scored in the 3-0 MIAA series sweep against Arkansas-Fort Smith. In game one against the Lions, Steele opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the top of the first and went on to drive in three runs and reach base five times in the 14-4 victory. Steele then reached base in all five plate appearances in the Hornets’ 12-1 game two win, which included a grand slam, a double and six RBI to set a new career-high for the redshirt junior. Steele also made 18 outs and had one assist with no errors in the outfield.
MIAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Colby Deaver, Emporia State
Colby Deaver has been named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the third time in the first four weeks of the 2026 season. The sophomore pitcher started game two against Arkansas-Fort Smith and struck out nine batters in 5.0 innings while allowing just three hits and an unearned run in the Hornets’ 12-1 victory. Deaver has now extended his streak without an earned run to 23.0 innings to begin the season and has 35 strikeouts with just two walks in his four starts.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
MIAA HITTERS
Grant Hollister, Central Missouri
Grant Hollister helped No. 5-ranked Mules Baseball open MIAA play with a three-game series sweep at Northeastern State. The sophomore hit .667 with eight hits, including four doubles. He also finished with four RBI, six runs scored, five stolen bases (in five attempts), and just one strikeout in 12 at-bats. Hollister went 2-for-3 with two runs, an RBI, and three stolen bases in UCM's 10-4 game one win on Friday (Feb. 20). He was then 4-for-5 with three doubles, two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base in game two’s 6-3 win on Saturday (Feb. 21). Hollister wrapped up the weekend with a 2-of-4 showing with two RBI, two runs, a double, and a stolen base in Sunday’s 17-4 win over the RiverHawks.
Garretson Cook, Fort Hays State
Garretson Cook posted a slash line of .643/.706/.857 in Fort Hays State’s three-game MIAA series against Northwest Missouri, going 9-for-14 at the plate with a team-high five runs while adding three RBI. He clubbed his first collegiate home run in the series opener and worked three walks while converting on all 22 defensive chances at first base. The first baseman has reached base in all 12 games he has played in this season, ranking fifth in the MIAA with a batting average of .478.
Luke Shannahan, Missouri Western
Luke Shannahan turned in a monster three-game stretch against Pittsburg State, hitting .600 (6-for-10) with three runs scored and five RBI. The first baseman recorded two doubles and three home runs for a 1.700 slugging percentage. He also drew one walk and stole a base, finishing the series with a .636 on-base percentage while striking out just once.
MIAA PITCHERS
Zach Horwith, Rogers State
Zach Horwith delivered an impressive performance on the mound in Rogers State’s 9-1 win against Missouri Southern last Friday (Feb. 20). The senior righty achieved his first win of the season by pitching 8.0 innings, during which he allowed only two hits and one earned run with one strikeout.
Danny Satterlee, Central Oklahoma
Danny Satterlee got the Saturday start for Central Oklahoma and helped the Bronchos clinch a series win over No. 17-ranked Drury in Edmond. The junior right-hander threw five shutout innings, striking out five batters. He gave up five hits and two walks but kept all runners off home plate on the day.
ALSO NOMINATED:
HITTERS – Andres Contreras [Rogers State], Caleb Castle [Central Oklahoma], John Connors [Northwest Missouri], Levi Risenhoover [Washburn], Ethan Clark [Missouri Southern]
PITCHERS – Zach Voss [Pittsburg State], Logan Brasel [Northwest Missouri], Caleb Lunnon [Washburn], Caleb Camp [Fort Hays State]
WEEK ONE HITTER: Derek Woolwine, Fort Hays State
WEEK ONE PITCHER: Colby Deaver, Emporia State
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WEEK TWO HITTER: Landin Midgett, Pittsburg State
WEEK TWO PITCHER: Cole Evans, Missouri Western
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WEEK THREE HITTER: Drake Lee, Central Oklahoma
WEEK THREE PITCHERS: Braxton Jones, Central Oklahoma and Colby Deaver, Emporia State
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WEEK FOUR HITTER: Noah Steele, Emporia State
WEEK FOUR PITCHERS: Colby Deaver, Emporia State