5 Reasons The Miami Ohio Redhawks Baseball Team Is The MAC's New Dynasty (2025 Season Recap)
The Miami University RedHawks baseball program has officially entered a new era of dominance, culminating in a spectacular 2025 season that saw them capture the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament Championship. This victory, secured on Sunday, marks a significant milestone for the team, solidifying the success of the program's rebuild under Head Coach Brian Smiley. The RedHawks finished the season with an impressive 32-21 overall record and a dominant 23-7 mark in conference play, a testament to their unwavering effort and strategic coaching.
The 2025 campaign was defined by an unprecedented run of excellence, including an undefeated record in all conference series throughout the year. The team's performance has not only brought hardware back to Oxford, Ohio, but has also established the RedHawks as the premier baseball program in the MAC, setting a high bar for future seasons and demonstrating the power of a cohesive unit.
The Architects of Success: 2025 RedHawks Coaching Staff and Key Player Biographies
The foundation of the RedHawks’ 2025 championship season was built on the leadership of a focused and experienced coaching staff and the exceptional talent of their award-winning players. The team’s success is a direct result of their development program and strategic recruitment.
Coaching Staff:
- Head Coach: Brian Smiley
- Role: Head Coach
- Tenure: Entered his second season in 2025.
- Achievement: Led the team to the 2025 MAC Tournament Championship and a 32-21 overall record, a significant improvement from the previous season.
- Associate Head Coach: Kyle Trewyn
- Role: Associate Head Coach
- Tenure: Joined the staff in June 2023.
- Contribution: Instrumental in the team's development and on-field execution.
- Pitching Coach: Larry Scully
- Role: Pitching Coach
- Contribution: Oversees the development of the pitching staff, which produced the MAC Pitcher of the Year.
- Assistant Coach/Director of Baseball Operations: Miguel Rivera
- Role: Assistant Coach/Director of Baseball Operations
- Contribution: Focuses on infield development and operational management.
Star Player Entities & 2025 MAC Awards:
Nine RedHawks earned All-MAC recognition, highlighting the depth of talent across the roster. Two players, in particular, swept the major specialty awards for the team:
- Cooper Katskee (RHP)
- 2025 Honors: MAC Pitcher of the Year, All-America Third Team, All-Region First Team.
- Significance: Katskee is the first RedHawk to earn the MAC Pitcher of the Year award. His performance was central to the team's pitching success.
- Cooper Weiss (Infielder)
- 2025 Honors: MAC Defensive Player of the Year.
- Significance: Weiss’s elite defense at the shortstop position provided a critical backbone to the RedHawks’ infield.
- Evan Appelwick (Redshirt Junior First Baseman)
- 2025 Honors: All-MAC recognition, Academic All-MAC.
- Role: A key presence in the lineup and a leader in academic achievement.
- Dillon Baker (Redshirt Senior Shortstop)
- 2025 Honors: All-MAC recognition, Academic All-MAC.
- Role: Provided veteran leadership and a strong presence at a critical defensive position.
- Ty Batusich (Transfer)
- 2025 Honors: Academic All-MAC.
- Role: A key contributor to the RedHawks’ offensive lineup in his first year with the team.
- Other Academic All-MAC Honorees: Carson Byers, Blake Buzzeo, Ahmad Harajli, and Ryan Novak.
The 2025 Season: A Deep Dive into MAC Championship Dominance
The 2025 season will be remembered as the year the Miami RedHawks baseball team put the entire Mid-American Conference on notice. Their success was not a fluke; it was a consistent, dominant effort that showcased their ability to perform under pressure, particularly in conference play. The team’s final 32-21 record, including a phenomenal 23-7 conference mark, is a clear indicator of their elite status.
One of the most remarkable statistics from the year is the RedHawks’ performance in conference series. They managed to go undefeated in all their MAC series, demonstrating an ability to consistently win key matchups against their rivals. This consistency is a hallmark of a championship-caliber team and speaks volumes about the team’s mental toughness and preparation.
The postseason culminated in the RedHawks becoming the 2025 MAC Tournament champions. They completed a three-game sweep, defeating Toledo 6-3 in the final game. This tournament victory secured their spot as the undisputed top team in the conference for the season.
Topical Authority: The RedHawks’ Home Field and Historical Legacy
To truly understand the Miami RedHawks baseball program, one must look at its home and its history. The team plays its home games at the state-of-the-art McKie Field at Hayden Park in Oxford, Ohio. This venue is not just a field; it’s a modern facility that has been a source of pride for the university. In 2012, College Baseball Today recognized McKie Field at Hayden Park as the best small college baseball venue with seats under 1,000, underscoring the quality of the RedHawks’ home environment.
The park is complete with modern amenities, including a fully operational press box, a luxury suite, and heated dugouts, providing a top-tier experience for both players and fans.
A Program Steeped in Baseball History
The Miami baseball program has a rich and storied history, having produced numerous professional players and a legendary Hall of Fame manager. The team was originally known as the Miami Redskins before transitioning to the RedHawks moniker.
The program’s most famous alumnus is arguably Walter Alston, who played for Miami from 1933-1935 before going on to a Hall of Fame managing career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. Other notable players who have come through the program and made it to the major leagues include:
- Bill Doran: A former second baseman for the Houston Astros and Cincinnati Reds.
- Adam Eaton: An outfielder who was part of the 2019 World Series-winning Washington Nationals team.
- Sam Bachman: A highly-touted pitcher drafted by the Los Angeles Angels.
- Charlie Liebrandt: A former pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.
- Eddie Morgan: One of the earliest alumni to make it to the major leagues.
The combination of a championship-winning 2025 season, a highly decorated roster, a modern home field, and a deep historical legacy ensures that the Miami Ohio RedHawks baseball program is a must-watch team for college baseball fans.
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