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91���� head coach Alex Sogard has built a program that not only wins championships, but also exemplifies sportsmanship, academic excellence and character.

That combination earned Sogard the 2025 Spirit of 91���� University Award.

Sogard led the Raiders to a season for the record books in 2025, capped by a 5–4 victory over Vanderbilt, the No. 1 team in the nation, in the NCAA regional tournament — a win that marked the first time in NCAA history that a No. 1 seed failed to reach the regional final.

The upset came after 91���� narrowly dropped the opening game against Vanderbilt, then eliminated East Tennessee State to earn a second shot at the top-ranked Commodores and a spot in the regional finals.

The victory capped a season that included a seventh straight Horizon League regular season championship, a fourth tournament title in five years and the sixth 40-win campaign in program history.

91���� also earned a record-tying 16 All-League honors, including the Horizon League Freshman of the Year. Four players were named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team, and the squad posted a combined 3.5 GPA over the Fall and Spring Semesters.

Perhaps the team’s proudest achievement came off the diamond, when it earned its first Horizon League Team Sportsmanship Award.

After hosting the Air Force Academy, 91���� players shared a postgame dinner with the Falcons — mixing tables, swapping stories and ensuring the visiting cadets were served first. The gathering stretched late into the night, forging connections that went far beyond baseball.

“It was a reminder that sportsmanship isn’t just about behavior during competition — it’s about the values we carry off the field and the respect we extend to others, regardless of the scoreboard,” said Chris Bethel, associate athletic director for facilities and operations.

From orchestrating a historic season to fostering a culture of respect, humility and academic achievement, Sogard and his team have embodied the very best of 91����.

“Combining the sportsmanship, classroom success as well as the overall results of the team on the field has proven that this group deserves all of the accolades they have received and continue to receive,” Bethel said. “The coaching staff has set the tone and expectations, and the team has bought in and been rewarded with their success.”