MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State University head baseball coach Jeremy Ische announced today the program's award winners for the 2026 season.
 
The members of the Mustang team selected the awards with sophomore second baseman Jared Cortez and sophomore pitcher Jameson Quinn, headlining the list. Cortez was named the team's most valuable player, while Quinn was named the team's most valuable pitcher.
 
Senior shortstop Brock Woitalla was named the team's best defensive player for the second straight season, while redshirt freshman first baseman Tanner Rezny earned the Mustang Award, which goes to a player who best exemplifies the character, spirit, dedication, hard work and enthusiasm for SMSU baseball.

Woitalla was also honored with the Derrick Keller Award, which is given to a Mustang team member that best demonstrates the qualities of courage, determination and perseverance. Keller, a 2011 graduate of St. Louis Park (Minn.) High School, signed a letter of intent to play baseball at SMSU but was never able to play for the Mustangs after being diagnosed with leukemia on Aug. 1, 2011. He battled the disease for 10 months before passing away on June 26, 2012.

Cortez, a native of Brooten, Minn., led SMSU with a .370 batting average in 48 games, while also leading the team in hits (68), doubles (16) and total bases (100). The 68 hits rank tied for fourth, while the 16 doubles is tied for eighth in the team single-season record book.
 
Quinn, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., led SMSU starting pitchers with a 4.20 ERA, while tossing a team-high 70 2/3 innings in 12 starts with three complete games. He led the team with 56 strikeouts, while opponents batted just .235. He pitched six or more innings in seven starts, while allowing two earned runs or less in six starts of those seven starts. The 70 2/3 innings rank as the ninth highest while the 12 starts is tied for second in the program single-season record book.
 
During the season, Quinn fired the ninth no-hitter in team history in a 1-0 seven-inning victory at Minnesota Duluth on April 25, while also tossing a 1-hitter in seven innings in a 1-0 loss to Jamestown on April 19.   
 
Woitalla, a native of Annadale, Minn., played in 41 games with 40 starts, committing 11 errors, while registering 106 assists and 42 putouts for a .931 fielding percentage.
 
Rezny, a native of Farmington, Minn., played in 22 games with 18 starts before suffering an injury on March 28, missing the final 22 games of the season. He batted .357 with three home runs, three doubles and 19 RBIs.
 
SMSU finished the season 20-28 overall, including 10-26 in conference play.
 
SMSU players have selected the team awards each year since the 1971 season.