MCAC Baseball Athetes of the Week: Week of April 20-26

The Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC) has released its baseball weekly awards for the week of April 20-26.

Riley Jax, a right-handed pitcher for Riverland Community College, has been named this week's MCAC South Division Baseball Pitcher of the Week. Going 1-0 this week in his one start, Jax threw a complete game shutout, scattering nine hits and three walks. He struck out five batters to help the Blue Devils pick up an important win over Rochester.  

Connor Larsen, first baseman for Century College, earned this week's MCAC South Division Baseball Position Player of the Week honor. At the plate, Larsen went 9 for 22, hitting .440 on the week. He hit three home runs and drove in 10 runs. Larsen also scored nine runs and walked four times, helping his Wood Ducks team move closer to securing a spot in the Region 13 Tournament.  

Joe Liebl, left-handed pitcher for Ridgewater College, earned this week's MCAC Central Division Baseball Pitcher of the Week honor. In his one starting appearance, Liebl threw a complete game no-hitter. He didn't give up a run and struck out 12 of the batters he faced. Liebl walked only one batter in the outing. At the plate, he had seven hits and a home run, while driving in 5 runs this week. 

Ethan Guck, right fielder for Central Lakes College, earned this week's MCAC Central Division Baseball Position Player of the Week award. Guck went 16 for 35 at the plate, hitting .457 for the week. He hit four doubles and three home runs. Guck drove in 13 runs and scored 4 in his 10 games played. He now has five home runs for the season and 10 doubles. 

Nick Colunga, right-handed pitcher for Minnesota North College - Rainy River, has earned this week's MCAC North Division Baseball Pitcher of the Week award for the second straight week. Colunga went 1-0 with a save in his three appearances this week, and he did not give up a run in the 3.2 innings pitched. Colunga gave up only four hits, and he struck out two batters.   

Thomas Vekich, third baseman for Minnesota North College - Itasca, earned this week's MCAC North Division Baseball Position Player of the Week award. Putting together a dynamic performance, Vekich hit six home runs and doubled four times in his 17 hits and 29 at-bats. He hit .586 on the week and drove in 20 runs, while scoring 18 runs. Vekich also walked eight times and stole four bases, helping the Vikings secure a place in the Region 13 Tournament.   

As MCAC teams compile games and statistics, keep tabs on Conference leaders at the following links:

MCAC Baseball Statistical Leaders: https://mcacsports.org/sports/bsb/2025-26/leaders

MCAC Baseball Standings:  https://mcacsports.org/sports/bsb/2025-26/standings