ST. LOUIS – The Saginaw Valley State University baseball program had three players selected to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Midwest Region teams. Relief pitcher Jake Shelagowski and outfielder Lucas Mead were named to the First Team, while starting pitcher JJ Arbini earned a spot on the Second Team.

This marks Shelagowski's second All-Midwest Region selection in as many weeks, following his First Team honor from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). In 2025, Shelagowski recorded 11 saves—a single-season program record for the Cardinals—contributing to a team-record 17 total saves. Over 19 appearances, he posted a 1-0 record with 33.1 innings pitched, amassing 51 strikeouts, a 3.78 ERA, and a 1.44 WHIP.

Head coach Adam Piotrowicz praised his standout closer:

"Jake has a tremendous work ethic and has grown as a pitcher each year he's been on campus. There aren't many arms more talented than his in the region at any level. His fastball sits at 95+ mph and has touched 100 multiple times. He commands three pitches effectively and just broke the save record last week. It's been an incredible season for Jake, and he's a major reason for our success."

Mead garnered his first All-Midwest Region selection after anchoring SVSU's offense throughout the season. He ranked second in the GLIAC in batting average, first in on-base percentage, third in slugging percentage, and first in OPS. He slashed .420/.513/.608 for an OPS of 1.121, while also leading the Cardinals in hits (76), triples (6), home runs (4), and RBIs (45).

Coach Piotrowicz had high praise for Mead's all-around performance:

"Lucas has been the most complete player in the league all season. He's played phenomenal center field, has double-digit stolen bases, and is one of the most potent offensive threats in the region. His approach and plate discipline are the primary reasons for his leap from freshman year to now. He's going to be a cornerstone player in this league for years to come."

Arbini concluded his senior campaign with one of the most dominant pitching performances in the GLIAC. He posted a 2.10 ERA—just 0.01 behind the league leader—and allowed the fewest hits in the conference with 33, a full 17 fewer than the next closest pitcher. He also allowed the second-fewest earned runs (11) and led the league with a .148 opponent batting average, more than 60 points ahead of the next best. His 0.99 WHIP led the GLIAC and ranked seventh nationally in Division II.

Coach Piotrowicz remarked:

"JJ has been unhittable this season. He's been outstanding in his role as a starter and is highly deserving of this recognition. He's extremely difficult to hit—second in the nation in hits allowed per nine innings—and has demonstrated consistent dominance. His success reflects his relentless work ethic and is no surprise to anyone familiar with his dedication."