The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat baseball team had nine players honored by the MIAA for their effort in the classroom and on the diamond.
The MIAA announced the 2026 Baseball Academic Awards with all of the league's baseball programs recognized for their hard work in the classroom.
The prestigious MIAA Academic Excellence Award was achieved by 10 individuals, including Bearcat senior pitcher
Jayme Fritts (4.00 GPA in agricultural science). An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of at least 4.00 at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of grades reported at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Jayme Fritts |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Agricultural Science |
Glenwood, Iowa |
The Scholar-Athlete distinction went to 21 student-athletes, including Northwest senior pitcher
Ben Haug. A Scholar-Athlete is an individual that has a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 or better at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors in the sport for the 2026 season.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Ben Haug |
Sr. |
3.63 |
Agricultural Science |
Marshall, Mo. |
In the Academic Honor Roll category, 163 student-athletes were mentioned which included nine Bearcats. To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 or above at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.
| Name |
Year |
GPA |
Major |
Hometown |
| Nick Brubeck |
Sr. |
3.50 |
Applied Health: Exercise Science |
Shawnee, Kan. |
| Jayme Fritts |
Sr. |
4.00 |
Agricultural Science |
Glenwood, Iowa |
| Parker Griffith |
Sr. |
3.27 |
General Studies |
Lee's Summit, Mo. |
| Ben Haug |
Sr. |
3.63 |
Agricultural Science |
Marshall, Mo. |
| Brody Hufft |
So. |
3.14 |
Business Administration |
Parkville, Mo. |
| Drew Jakubielski |
R-Fr. |
3.08 |
Business Administration |
Overland Park, Kan. |
| Landon Wells |
Sr. |
3.19 |
Business Management |
King City, Mo. |
| Connor Wiese |
Sr. |
3.47 |
Applied Health: Exercise Science |
Omaha, Neb. |
| Noah Williams |
So. |
3.96 |
Accounting: Public |
Liberty, Mo. |
