For Immediate Release
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
NSIC Media Relations

NSIC Player of the Week
#2 Jake Berkland (IF, 5-9, So., R/R, Wayzata, Minn. / Wayzata HS) – Minnesota State
- Went 8-for-16 (.500) with four runs scored and seven RBI in four starts
- Hit for the cycle in a 12-6 win over UIndy on Sunday with five RBIs on five hits
- Tripled in the first, doubled in the third, singled in the fourth and homered in fifth inning
- Tallied two doubles, a triple and three home runs on the week
- Had two home runs at Missouri Southern State
- Drew two walks and stole three bases
- Helped lead the Mavericks to a 3-1 record on the week

NSIC Pitcher of the Week
#77 Brady Baur (LHP, 6-1, 200, Jr., L/L, Prior Lake, Minn. / Prior Lake HS) - Sioux Falls
- Threw 5.1 innings with 11 strikeouts in an 8-1 win at Washburn
- Allowed just two hits and one unearned run in his first start
- Posted a 0.00 ERA and 0.75 WHIP
- Held opponents to a .118 batting average

Other Top Performances - Player
Jake Lundquist (Augustana)
- Hit .500 (6-for-12) over four games with a double, six runs scored and nine RBI
- Added three stolen bases in the sweep at Bemidji State
- Slashed .500/.667/1.083 with a pair of multi-hit games
- Recorded a pinch-hit grand slam to break a tie against Minnesota Duluth
- Followed with two straight two-hit games on Sunday
- Threw out a runner behind the plate
Trayson Kostial (Jamestown)
- Batted .500 (6-for-12) and hit safely in all four games vs. UCCS
- Five of six hits went for extra bases (3 2B, 2 HR)
- Posted a 1.250 slugging percentage
- Scored five runs and drove in two
- Went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored on Friday
- Recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 16 chances (11 PO, 5 A)
Connor Davis (Southwest Minnesota State)
- Batted .471 in four games vs. Minnesota Crookston
- Finished 8-for-17 with four home runs, one double and eight RBI
- Posted a 1.235 slugging percentage and .526 on-base percentage
- Recorded at least one hit in every game with three multi-hit contests
- Totaled 21 bases
- Added five putouts and one assist in the outfield
- Hit two home runs Sunday, including the game-winner in the seventh inning
Wilmis Castro (St. Cloud State)
- Hit .333 (4-for-12) with a 1.218 OPS in the opening series at Missouri Western
- Collected a home run, triple and double
- Drove in two runs and scored twice
- Drew a walk and posted a .385 OBP
- Recorded 10 total bases
- Ranks among the NSIC top-20 in total bases despite playing fewer games

Other Top Performances - Pitcher
Ethan Hoffman (Augustana)
- Threw five shutout innings vs. Minnesota Duluth
- Allowed just three hits with one walk
- Struck out eight batters
- Held opponents to a .167 batting average
- Has opened the season with 15 strikeouts in 10 scoreless innings
Sam George (Minnesota State)
- Tossed 6.0 innings, allowing one run on four hits
- Struck out five and walked one
- Faced 22 batters on 89 pitches
- Earned the win at Indianapolis
- Finished the game with a 1.50 ERA
Carson Bougher (Southwest Minnesota State)
- Appeared in two relief outings vs. Minnesota Crookston
- Tossed 4.1 shutout innings with four strikeouts
- Allowed just one walk
- Retired the first 11 batters faced in Sunday’s win
- Closed the game with four scoreless frames
Brayden Simones (St. Cloud State)
- Made collegiate debut vs. Missouri Western
- Pitched 1.2 innings with four strikeouts
- Retired five of six batters faced
- Earned the save in SCSU’s first win of the season
NSIC Baseball Players of the Week
2/10/26
Player: #1 Troy Berg - Augustana
Pitcher: #36 Ryan Chamberlain – University of Mary
2/10/26
Player: #2 Jake Berkland  – Minnesota State
Pitcher: #77 Brady Baur - Sioux Falls

About the NSIC
The NSIC is a 16-team, 18-sport, NCAA Division II conference with institutions located in Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The NSIC is a model Division II conference that uses high-level athletics competition to develop champions in the classroom and community while empowering student-athletes to be impactful and positive leaders. Formed in 1992 by the merger of the Northern Intercollegiate Conference (men’s league) and the Northern Sun Conference (women’s league), the NSIC has flourished over the past three decades, maturing into a union of Upper Midwest colleges and universities. The NSIC has won 27 team national championships and crowned 122 individual national champions. For additional information, visit NorthernSun.org.

About NCAA Division II
The NCAA, the national governing body for college athletics, is a volunteer association of more than 1,000 colleges and universities that classify their athletics programs in one of three membership divisions. The 300+ institutions in NCAA Division II support a balanced approach in which student-athletes can earn scholarships based on their athletic ability, pursue their desired academic degree, and participate in all the campus and surrounding community have to offer. Division II student-athletes annually graduate at rates higher than their student body peers, and they have access to the best championships-participant ratio among the NCAA’s three divisions. Division II gives student-athletes the unique opportunity to compete in the classroom, on the field, in their career, for their causes, and on their terms. For additional information, visit NCAA.org.