With the collegiate baseball season wrapping up, several members of the 2026 O’Fallon Hoots have collected prestigious season awards. The Hoots’ opening day roster will feature seven players honored for their stellar performances this spring.
Infielders
John Connors | Junior | 1B/DH | Northwest Missouri State University
Hailing from Frankfort, IL, the 6’3″, 220-pound junior earned All-MIAA Third Team honors as a Designated Hitter. Connors was one of Northwest’s top run producers, posting a .330 batting average with 15 doubles, 5 home runs, and 52 RBIs.
“We are very excited to have John on our roster,” said Field Manager Carter Mize. “We believe he will help us drive in runs on a nightly basis, and we can’t wait to see him in a Hoots uniform at CarShield this summer”.
Nick Stuerer | Freshman | INF | Truman State University
Stuerer brought home significant hardware in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) postseason awards. He was named GLVC Freshman of the Year and earned All-GLVC Second Team honors as a second baseman. Stuerer led the GLVC with an astounding .427 batting average, compiling 70 hits and a .455 on-base percentage. He also set a Truman State single-season record with 20 doubles and swiped 27 bases during his debut campaign.
“We feel his combination of on-base percentage, extra-base hits, and stolen bases will help us put numbers on the scoreboard each night,” Mize noted.
Sam Paule | Junior | SS | Missouri Baptist University
A native of Washington, MO, Paule was named First Team All-Heart of America shortstop. He anchored his junior campaign with a .372 average, 42 hits, and a .459 on-base percentage.
“We believe we have a very solid shortstop in Paule,” said Mize. “I’m excited to see him patrol the infield in a Hoots uniform”.
Pitchers
Keller Costello | Freshman | RHP | Rockhurst University
The Marquette High School product earned All-GLVC First Team honors as a starting pitcher following a phenomenal freshman season for the Rockhurst Hawks. Costello posted a 2.70 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP over 43.1 innings, striking out 51 batters while walking only 20.
“He had about as good of a season as any pitcher could have,” Mize said. “Keller has a chance to be one of the top pitchers in the Prospect League this summer”.
Outfielders
Griffin Brown | Senior | OF | Missouri Baptist University
The Lockport, IL native earned First Team All-Heart of America honors after posting a .355 average and a .487 on-base percentage.
“When I saw how he goes and gets the baseball in centerfield, I knew we needed him,” said Mize. “As an older player, we will look to him to mentor our younger players on routines and handling the ups and downs of the game”.
Brady Vessells | Freshman | OF/C | Jefferson College
A Barnhart, MO native, Vessells earned First Team Region 16 honors. He hit .312 and showcased elite power by blasting 18 home runs with 66 RBIs.
“For a true freshman to put up home run numbers like that is truly impressive,” Mize said. “I’m ready to watch him hit baseballs hard consistently”.
Kaden Kinsler | Junior | OF | William Woods University
Kinsler earned Heart of America Honorable Mention and All-Tournament Team honors. He hit .321 with 25 extra-base hits, including 10 home runs. During this campaign, Kinsler became the William Woods all-time home run leader with 33 career “big flies”. He added two more home runs during the conference tournament to help propel the Owls to the Championship game.
“We are really excited to have Kinsler. He’s put together 3 very impressive spring seasons at William Woods. Anytime a ballplayer shows that level of consistency, it’s a good sign.” Mize added.
