June 4, 2026
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bellevue University senior first baseman Carter Claerhout has been announced as the 2026 NAIA Player of the Year to headline three Bruins named to the NAIA's All-America Teams. Claerhout was also selected as a First Team All-American while senior pitcher Brody Burnette and sophomore catcher Xavier Lerma earned Second Team and Third Team honors, respectively.
In being recognized as the NAIA's Player of the Year, Claerhout is the first Bruin student-athlete to be earn the honor in any sport. During his lone season at BU, Claerhout rewrote the Bruins' single season record books, establishing new marks for slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, total bases, and extra-base hits. He led the NAIA with a .491 batting average, .969 slugging percentage, 1.502 OPS, 29 home runs, 217 total bases, and 48 extra-base hits while ranking second in hits (110), fifth in RBI (86), and seventh in both runs scored (7) and on-base percentage (.533). He added 18 doubles and was 12-for-15 on stolen base attempts. He posted a .986 fielding percentage at first and helped the Bruins complete 33 double plays.
Burnette saw an increased workload this year, turning into a light's out closer for the Bruins as his 15 saves led the country. He appeared in 23 games out of the bullpen, pitching to a 2-1 record and 2.51 ERA across 28.2 innings of work. He struck out 32 against just seven walks for 10.05 strikeouts per nine innings and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 4.43. He posted a 1.26 WHIP and limited opponents to a .264 batting average.
Lerma turned in a huge season as well for Bellevue in his first as a lineup regular. Among the NAIA national leaders, he ranked 12th with 19 home runs, 20th with 70 RBI, and 32nd with a .738 slugging percentage. His .377 batting average was good for third on the team while his slugging percentage and 1.196 OPS were each good for second on the ball club, and his 27 extra-base hits ranked fourth on the team. Defensively, he posted a .995 fielding percentage and threw out four would-be base stealers while only allowing one passed ball.
Bellevue wrapped up the 2026 season with a 50-6 overall record, going 24-0 to win the Frontier Conference regular season championship. During the postseason, BU won the Frontier Conference Tournament title, qualified for their 28th NAIA National Tournament, and hosted an Opening Round Bracket for the sixth time.