The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) announced its 2025 All-GLIAC First Team, Second Team, Honorable Mentions, and annual awards this Thursday — and six Purdue Northwest baseball players were recognized for their outstanding seasons and off field character.
Drake Ballard (Louisville, Ky./Martha Laynes Collins),
AJ Reid (Highland, Ind./Highland),
Jake Nightingale (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso),
Kam Earley (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights),
Brayden Barrett (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton), and
Mitchell Stanton (South Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) all earned spots on this year's list.
Drake Ballard (Louisville, Ky./Martha Laynes Collins) made program history as the first Purdue Northwest baseball player to receive the prestigious
Troy Berry Award. This award honors a GLIAC student-athlete who exemplifies exceptional character and leadership on the field, in the classroom, and within the community. Named after former Findlay head coach Troy Berry, the award highlights Ballard's lasting impact on both the PNW campus and the Hammond community — a truly well-deserved recognition for a cornerstone of the Pride.
AJ Reid (Highland, Ind./Highland) and
Jake Nightingale (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) were both named to the
All-GLIAC First Team after standout seasons. Reid, a graduate student from Highland, Indiana, was a powerhouse at the plate and a steady presence at third base. He led the Pride in OPS, runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage, finishing with a .928 fielding percentage. This marks Reid's first All-GLIAC selection. Nightingale, a senior from Valparaiso, Indiana, anchored the Pride's pitching staff and turned in a dominant season. He appeared in nine games with six starts, totaling 47.1 innings pitched, 40 strikeouts, and a conference-leading 2.09 ERA. This is also his first All-GLIAC honor.
Kam Earley (Pendleton, Ind./Pendleton Heights) was selected to the
All-GLIAC Second Team following a strong final season. The graduate student from Pendleton, Indiana was a key offensive catalyst, batting .344 with 15 doubles, four home runs, 30 RBIs, and a .513 slugging percentage. Defensively, Earley locked down right field with a .955 fielding percentage, 100 putouts, and five assists. This is his first career All-GLIAC selection.
Brayden Barrett (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) and
Mitchell Stanton (South Chicago Heights, Ill./Marian Catholic) earned
All-GLIAC Honorable Mention honors. Barrett, a freshman from Chesterton, Indiana, overcame early-season injuries to become a vital part of the Pride's lineup. He hit .289 with 26 hits and 10 RBIs, while providing strong defense in the middle infield with a .949 fielding percentage. Stanton, a freshman pitcher from South Chicago Heights, Illinois, contributed both as a starter and reliever. He made 14 appearances (eight starts), posting a 2–4 record across 51.0 innings. Stanton struck out 34 batters, walked 26, and held opponents to a .307 average, finishing with a 5.65 ERA and 1.71 WHIP. His performance signals a promising future as a key arm in the Pride's rotation. This was the first time both Barrett and Stanton have received All-GLIAC recognition.
