BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – Freshman
Hayden Sperbeck was named MIAC Baseball Rookie of the Year as the conference announced its postseason awards on Tuesday. Since the award's inception in 2009, Sperbeck is the second Royal to earn the honor, joining Esteban Velasco, who earned it in 2015.
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Three Royals were named to the All-Conference squad with
Zach Thompson now being a two-time honoree while
Oran Hinkle and
Max Sutter earn their first honor.
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Earning Honorable Mention honors were Sperbeck,
Joe Meurer,
Mark Anderson,
Jordan Axberg,
Cavan Banks and
Michael Meadows.
Named to All-MIAC Playoff team were Thompson and Sperbeck while
Nick Carlson also earned the honor.Â
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Zach Thompson – Shortstop (Sr. | Woodbury, Minn. | East Ridge)
• Two-time All-MIAC honoree after earning the same honor in 2024.
• Hit .356 with a .936 OPS, 26 hits, nine extra-base hits, and eight RBI in 20 MIAC games.
• Posted a .521 slugging percentage and .415 on-base percentage.
• Named to All-MIAC Playoff Team
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Oran Hinkle – Outfielder (Jr. | Delano, Minn.)
• First career All-MIAC selection.
• Led Bethel with a 1.007 OPS and .595 slugging percentage.
• Batted .351 with five home runs that ranked third in the MIAC, 13 RBI, and 44 total bases in MIAC play. His 26 hits ranked ninth in the conference.
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Max Sutter – Pitcher (Sr. | Albertville, Minn. | STMA)
• First career All-MIAC selection.
• Posted a 4-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 30 MIAC innings. His wins were tied for second most in the conference.
• Held opponents to a .210 batting average.
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Hayden Sperbeck – Designated Hitter (Fr. | Arden Hills, Minn. | Mounds View)
• Second ever Royal to be named MIAC Rookie of the Year.
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Hit .352 with a .941 OPS, 12 RBI, and two home runs in his debut MIAC season.
• Named to MIAC All-Playoff Team.Â
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Joe Meurer – Outfielder (Jr. | Woodbury, Minn.)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
Batted .346 with a .971 OPS, 14 RBI, and .538 slugging percentage in 17 MIAC starts.
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Mark Anderson – Pitcher (Fr. | Sleepy Eye, Minn.)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Logged 22.0 innings over six MIAC starts with 20 strikeouts and a 4.50 ERA.
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Jordan Axberg – Pitcher (Sr. | North Branch, Minn.)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Recorded a 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 2-0 record over 13 MIAC innings.
• Allowed just 3 earned runs all conference season.
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Cavan Banks – Pitcher (So. | Rogers, Minn.)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Posted a 2.35 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 2 saves in 15.1 MIAC innings.
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Michael Meadows – Pitcher (Sr. | Logansport, Ind.)
• First MIAC postseason honor.
• Finished with a 0.82 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 11.0 innings of MIAC relief.
• Allowed only one earned run in MIAC games.
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