Brad Baldwin, Myles Beale Headline Great Midwest Baseball Postseason Awards
MIDLAND, MICH. – The Northwood University baseball program earned numerous honors from the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) post season awards, which were announced Thursday (May 8).
Brad Baldwin was named the conference's Coach of the Year. Senior outfielder Myles Beale was named the Co-Player of the Year. In all, the Timberwolves placed six student-athletes on the All-Great Midwest team: Beale, sophomore relief pitcher Dominic Mauro and junior starting pitcher Tyler Sager each earned First Team honors, while senior outfielder Drew Charters, junior outfielder Caden Duryea and junior relief pitcher Cody Matuz were placed on the Second Team.
Baldwin is the third coach in program history to earn a conference Coach of the Year award. Jordan Bischel earned the GLIAC Coach of the Year in both 2017 and 2018, while Jake Sabol earned the G-MAC honor in 2023. After losing five All-Conference performers from last year as well as eight key contributors from last year's team, Northwood improved their overall and G-MAC record. The Timberwolves currently stand at 32-19 overall while finishing with a 25-7 record in conference play. NU won its fourth conference championship in program history, taking home the G-MAC North Division title.
Beale, who shared Player of the Year honors with Max Caron of Ashland, is the third Northwood player to earn a conference Player of the Year, joining Cole Brooks from 2019 and Ed Clements from 1995. Beale currently stands with a .348 batting average to go with 13 doubles, three triples, 13 stolen bases and a .482 on-base percentage. Beale ranks second in the G-MAC with 38 walks and fourth in the conference on on-base percentage. He recently set Northwood school records for career runs (198) and walks (158). He has also played outstanding in the field, standing with five outfield assists to go with many excellent catches.
Mauro moved into the bullpen for his sophomore season and turned into one of the top relievers in the conference. He currently stands with a 4-3 record and a 2.04 ERA this season. Mauro has added three saves and 39 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings of work.
Sager stands as the Timberwolves' number one starter, having gone 8-1 with a 3.62 ERA this season. He has struck out 55 batters while walking 17 in 74 2/3 innings of work. Sager is tied for the G-MAC lead in wins while ranking second in the conference in innings pitched. He tossed a no-hitter against April 12, earning him NCBWA Division II Pitcher of the Week honors.
Charters is batting .322 with 21 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .424 on-base percentage. He ranks fifth in the G-MAC in stolen bases. Charters has also been strong in the field for the Timberwolves making just two errors in 132 total chances in centerfield.
Duryea was a force for the Timberwolves at the plate this season, currently batting .301 with five home runs and 53 RBIs. He currently leads the G-MAC in RBIs. Duryea's 53 RBIs are good for ninth on the Northwood single season list.
In his first year in the program, Matuz has become a key part of the Northwood bullpen. He stands with a 3-0 record and a 2.12 ERA for NU this season. In 29 2/3 innings of work, he has struck out 33 batters (10.01 per nine innings).
The Timberwolves are currently competing in the G-MAC Tournament. Northwood entered the event as the No. 1 overall seed.