GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced its 2021 All-GLIAC Baseball Teams and Postseason Awards in conjunction with the Conference's annual Baseball Tournament at Jackson® Field™ located in Lansing, Michigan. The awards were voted on by the conference baseball coaches and include the sixth annual recipient of the Troy Berry Award.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cole Brooks, Northwood

Cole Brooks is the first Northwood player to win GLIAC Player of the Year since Ed Clements in 1995. This season, Brooks led the GLIAC in batting average (.442) and runs batted in (56). He also ranked third in the GLIAC in total bases (105), fourth in walks (27), second in on-base percentage (.527) and third in slugging percentage (.682). Brooks had at least two hits in 23 of 40 games played this season. His .442 average is tied for the eighth highest in the history of the GLIAC and fourth in Northwood history. 

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Chad Patrick, Purdue Northwest

Patrick, a senior from Hebron, Ind., has been named the 2021 GLIAC Pitcher of the Year and All-GLIAC First Team. The right-hander led the conference in several statistical categories, including strikeouts (97) and earned-run average (1.83). Patrick went 5-2 with three shutouts and he surrendered just eight walks and 13 earned runs in 64.0 innings pitched – the second-most innings pitched in the GLIAC. He began the season with 24.1 consecutive scoreless innings. Patrick recorded 10 or more strikeouts in over half of his appearances, while tying his career high with 15 strikeouts twice this season. After his final start, he was ranked sixth in Division II in strikeout-to-walk ratio (12.12) and WHIP (.80). Patrick is a three-time all-conference selection. He was also named GLIAC Pitcher of the Week and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Midwest Region Pitcher of the Week this spring.

 FRESHMAN PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Hayden Jatczak, Saginaw Valley

Hayden Jatczak had an outstanding debut season for the Cardinals, earning GLIAC Freshman Player of the Year honors. At the plate he batted .379 in 116 at-bats, finishing with 44 hits, 10 double, two home runs, including a memorable walk-off against Northwood University. He added 18 walks, 26 runs scored, slugged .517 and had a .457 on-base percentage.  Jatczak was also the Friday starter for the Cardinals on the mound. He pitched in eight games, posting a record of 4-3. He pitched 45.1 innings, striking out 42 batters.  

FRESHMAN PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Derek Clark, Northwood

Derek Clark is the first Northwood athlete to earn GLIAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year. He is the third NU player to earn a GLIAC Freshman of the Year award, joining David Vinsky (2017) and Matt Shields (2004), both of whom were named GLIAC Freshman Player of the Year. Clark is currently tied for the GLIAC lead in wins (seven) while leading the league in innings pitched (66.0). He also stands second in strikeouts (62) and seventh in ERA (3.27). Clark has earned GLIAC Pitcher of the Week twice this season, including after tossing eight no-hit innings against Indianapolis in his first career start.

  

Senior Nolan Bryant (Rockford, Mich.) has been a team captain for the past three seasons and has been instrumental to the team's success particularly in 2020 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been a team leader on and off the field as evidenced by being named to the GLIAC All-Academic Excellence Team in 2019 and 2020. He has volunteered numerous hours working in the community and displays character traits that set him apart. Before the pandemic, Bryant was active in helping with the West Michigan Miracle League, which provides opportunities for kids to play baseball who have physical and mental disabilities. The Davenport baseball team has partnered with this organization over the past few years and the kids are invited to come on the field for warm-ups and starting lineups prior to the game. On the field, Bryant is one of the most decorated players in school history. He is the all-time leader with 170 runs scored, 95 walks and 12 triples. He is also second in doubles (42), assists (378) and double plays turned (77).