Teke honored with OAC Player of the Year to highlight Baseball All-OAC accolades

The Ohio Athletic Conference has named senior outfielder Tobie Teke the 2025 OAC Player of the Year, recognizing his outstanding season. Teke, along with senior first baseman Weston Melick and junior second baseman Sam Palmieri, earned First Team All-OAC honors. On the mound, graduate student Erik Cover and freshman Jake Valentine were both selected to the Second Team All-OAC for their impressive performances.

Teke, the Dr. Bob Fisher OAC Player-of-the-Year and First Team All-OAC selection in the outfield, played in 39 games this season for the Muskies. Teke found himself with 134 at-bats, producing 51 hits, 30 RBIs, 35 walks, and being hit by a pitch 12 times. Teke was responsible for 13 extra-base hits that tallied eight doubles, two triples, and three home runs. Teke finished with an OAC leading 35 stolen bases and an OAC leading on-base percentage of .536. Teke put up an impressive .381 batting average that finished third in the OAC and a slugging percentage of .537. In the field, Teke had a .980 fielding percentage. This will be the third straight season where Teke was honored with an All-OAC honor, as he had earned Second Team All-OAC honors in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. This is Muskingum's first OAC Player of the Year honor since Brock Whitman claimed the award in 2008.

Melick, a First Team All-OAC selection at first base, recorded an impressive .351 batting average, .429 on-base percentage, and .608 slugging percentage. Melick finished with 148 at-bats, where he tallied 52 hits, 40 runs scored, and 44 RBIs. He also worked his way into 15 walks while snagging seven stolen bases. Melick had 22 extra-base hits that came in the form of 13 doubles, two triples, and a team-high seven home runs. This will be Melick's third All-OAC honor in his time as a Muskie.

Palmieri, a First Team All-OAC selection at second base, logged a strong .338 batting average, .500 on-base percentage, and .540 slugging percentage. Palmieri finished with 139 at-bats, recording 47 hits, 47 RBIs, and 44 runs scored. Palmieri was walked 24 times this season and was credited with 12 stolen bases. He finished with 21 extra-base hits that included 16 doubles, three triples, and two home runs. His 16 doubles were tied for first in the OAC, and his 47 RBIs finished in third in the OAC. He also had the second-highest on-base percentage in the OAC. This is the third All-OAC honor in Palmieri's career as a Muskie.

Cover, a Second Team All-OAC selection at pitcher, finished the season with a record of 7-2. Cover appeared 12 times and finished with nine starts in his time this season. Cover posted a 3.41 earned-run average over his 66 innings pitched. Cover tallied 43 strikeouts, posted a WHIP of 1.21, and only gave up 15 walks. Cover also had two complete games this season. His seven wins are tied for the fourth most in program history and were third in the OAC this season.

Valentine, a Second Team All-OAC selection at pitcher, finished with 11 appearances and six games started. Valentine posted a 6-1 record and added one save. Valentine recorded one complete game this season. While on the mound, Valentine pitched 49 innings where he struck out 33 batters, walked only 13, and posted a 1.20 WHIP. Valentine also logged an earned-run average of 2.02, which was third in the OAC.

League coaches vote on All-OAC awards and accolades.