Karlin Named Heart Pitcher of the Year to Highlight Wildcats’ Heart Honors
BALDWIN CITY - After posting its highest win total in three years, the Baker baseball team had four players and a member of the coaching staff earn postseason recognition as the 2026 Heart Baseball Postseason Awards and All-Conference Teams were announced over the weekend.
Camden Karlin was named Heart Pitcher of the Year and also earned a spot on the All-Heart First Team at both pitcher and catcher, while assistant coach Beau Franklin was tabbed the Heart Assistant Coach of the Year as the Wildcats claimed two of the conference's six major postseason honors.
Karlin, a senior from Lawrence, Kan., finished off one of the most decorated careers in program history, playing in all 49 games as either a pitcher, catcher or designated hitter. He went 8-2 in his 11 starts this season and recorded 55 strikeouts, seven complete games and three shutouts. He led the conference in both wins (8) and earned run average (2.73).
Additionally, Karlin led the Wildcats in hits (57), batting average (.377), and RBI (38) and totaled eight doubles, nine home runs, a triple and 25 walks. He earned Heart Gold Glove honors at catcher after throwing out seven runners, adding 33 assists and not committing an error all season.
Tyson Kiser and Tyler Vigna each earned an honorable-mention nod, with Kiser appearing in all but one game this year and Vigna going 7-1 in his 11 starts on the mound. Kiser, a freshman from Kansas City, Mo., led the team with 11 doubles, hit .338 with 28 RBI and tallied 15 stolen bases on the season. Vigna, a sophomore from Lawrence, Kan., pitched a total of 55 innings and posted a 4.42 ERA with two complete games and a shutout.
TJ Armstrong joined Karlin on the Heart Gold Glove team, receiving the honor as the Wildcats' everyday first baseman. Armstrong, who is in his first season at BU after transferring from Bellevue College, played in all 49 games and recorded a .997 fielding percentage with just one error and 334 putouts.
Franklin just completed his fifth season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Wildcats, helping lead the team to a 29-20 overall record and 16-12 mark in conference play.
This season, Baker earned its most wins (29) since 2023 and finished in a three-way tie for the final two divisional spots for the Heart Conference Tournament, but lost out on the tiebreakers. The Wildcats won eight of their last nine games and closed the year on a five-game winning streak.
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