CARMEL, Ind. – Following the 2026 season, the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) announced the Baseball major award winners and members of the All-Conference Teams.

Transylvania sophomore outfielder Ethan Dillon (Louisville, Ky.) took home two major awards this spring as he was named both the HCAC Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Dillon was a fearsome presence at the plate as he posted a .381 batting average and slugged .698. His power was on display as he tied for the league lead with 10 home runs, helping contribute to his 42 RBI, which ranked in the top-five in the conference. Dillon was also a terror on the base paths swiping 21 bases. He was held hitless only eight times with 17 multi-hit games. Defensively, he covered a lot of ground from his centerfield position with his arm strength causing baserunners to think twice about taking extra bags.
 
For the second year in a row, the Pitcher of the Year honor goes to Transy's Drew Bowles (Lexington, Ky.). Bowles was dominant on the mound, leading the league in wins (8), ERA (2.18), and strikeouts (99). Bowles also held opposing hitters to a miniscule .195 batting average, which also led the league. In his 11 starts, he held opponents scoreless four times and had double-digit strikeouts in five. He allowed five or fewer hits in seven of his outings. His strikeout total also ranks fourth in all of NCAA Division III.

The Pioneers earned a clean sweep of the student-athlete awards as Kaden Ford (Louisville, Ky.) was voted the Newcomer of the Year. Ford found himself in the top-10 in a number of offensive categories during his debut season. He produced a .386/.495/.625 slash line, ranking in the HCAC top-10 in all three categories. He had 12 multi-hit games, scored 33 runs, and drove in 22.

The HCAC also honors an All-Conference First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention. Transylvania landed five First-Team selections: Drew Bowles, Ethan Dillon, Kaden Ford, Seita Shiratori and Luke Patton. Chris Hedinger (Second Team), Nick Pietromonaco (Second Team) and Henry Craig (Honorable Mention) were also selected to HCAC All-Conference teams. 

Transylvania travels to Kokomo, Indiana for the 2026 HCAC Tournament, taking on the winner between the #4 Hanover and #5 Anderson match up,  at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday. 

Transylvania University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the HCAC. To keep up to date with all of Transylvania Athletics, check out our website at www.transysports.com and follow @TransySports on Instagram.