In the opening weekend of the 2026 college baseball season, several standout performers earned PNW college baseball players of the week honors in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC). Montana State Billings dominated the GNAC awards with Jack Nehler named Hitter of the Week and Hayden Mullins taking Pitcher of the Week. Meanwhile, in the CCC, Bushnell’s Chase Nye claimed Hitter of the Week, and Warner Pacific’s Ayden Yaeger earned Pitcher of the Week. Let’s dive into the details from each conference.
GNAC Baseball Players of the Week
Montana State Billings started strong with a 3-1 road series win over Cal State San Bernardino, led by their award winners.
Hitter of the Week – Jack Nehler, Montana State Billings
Senior first baseman Jack Nehler from Gresham, Oregon, earned his fourth career GNAC Player of the Week honor—his first of 2026. Nehler slashed .438/.526/.688, going 7-for-16 with seven RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base. His clutch three-run homer in the 10th inning of the opener broke a 4-4 tie for a 7-4 win. He holds a program-record .390 career average, fourth in GNAC history. Defensively, he had 23 putouts and two assists with zero errors.
Pitcher of the Week – Hayden Mullins, Montana State Billings
Senior reliever Hayden Mullins from Denton, Texas, claimed his first GNAC Pitcher of the Week award. In three scoreless innings, he retired nine of 11 batters with no hits, five strikeouts, and two walks. He earned a win Friday (five Ks in two perfect innings) and a save in Saturday’s 7-6 series-clincher. After a 2025 first-team all-GNAC season (2.70 ERA, 37 Ks in 46 2/3 IP), Mullins is primed for more.
GNAC Press Release
CCC Baseball Players of the Week
Bushnell went 3-1 against Simpson, while Warner Pacific beat Corban 8-1.
Hitter of the Week – Chase Nye, Bushnell University
Junior shortstop Chase Nye from Cedar Ridge, Calif., was named CCC McDonald’s Player of the Week. Nye hit .471 with a .882 slugging, tallying eight hits (double, two HRs), eight RBIs, six runs, and three walks (.524 OBP). He shone in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep, going 5-for-9 with two HRs and eight RBIs. It’s Bushnell’s seventh CCC weekly honor, third for a hitter.
Pitcher of the Week – Ayden Yaeger, Warner Pacific University
Senior Ayden Yaeger from Apple Valley, Calif., a transfer from Clackamas CC, earned CCC Pitcher of the Week. In an 8-1 win over Corban, Yaeger threw a complete nine-inning game, allowing one earned run with three strikeouts.
CCC Press Release
