2025 College Baseball Season Kick Off

2025 BIG EAST Baseball Preview: UConn In The Hunt for Five-Peat

2025 BIG EAST Baseball Preview: UConn In The Hunt for Five-Peat

Connecticut has had a monopoly on recent BIG EAST baseball championships. Can the Huskies add another in 2025?

Jan 16, 2025 by Kyle Kensing

In recent years, BIG EAST baseball has been Huskies Territory.

UConn baseball heads into the 2025 season looking to complete a remarkable five-peat with its fifth straight regular-season BIG EAST championship. The Huskies are also in the hunt for a sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth — and perhaps an elusive first trip to Omaha for the College World Series since 1979.

UConn can expect a fight from the rest of the BIG EAST, including St. John's and Georgetown teams that enjoyed impressive 2024 seasons — St. John's campaign culminating in a BIG EAST Tournament run and NCAA Tournament appearance. The Red Storm looks to reload with new faces in key roles, while Georgetown aims to build on its surprise, breakout season with a push to the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament.

Meanwhile, a consistently strong Creighton program also looks to reemerge as one of the conference's top challengers in 2025 after a disappointing 2024 in the league.

Butler Baseball Preview

Butler looks to make its third season under coach Blake Beemer the program’s breakout campaign. The Bulldogs finished in the BIG EAST cellar in both 2023 and 2024, but last year’s squad improved the overall win total significantly, going from 12 to 20.

The Bulldogs look to carry over that same kind of momentum into 2025, and especially into BIG EAST competition.

Head Coach: Blake Beemer

2024 Record: 20-35 (5-16 BIG EAST)

Players to Watch

Tre Benjamin

JUCO transfer Tre Benjamin brings experience and size to Butler's pitching staff. The 6-foot-6 Benjamin spent 2022 at Western Illinois before moving onto Hartford College in Maryland. There, Benjamin worked 48 2/3 innings during the 2024 season and struck out 46 batters. He posted a 2.96 ERA and finished with a 6-2 record.

Benjamin joins the Bulldogs after a summer season in which he had a 2.57 ERA in two starts for the Rockford Rivets of the Northwoods League.

Will Burgess

First baseman and outfielder Will Burgess joins the Butler clubhouse after a sensational junior college campaign at Montgomery College. Burgess hit a whopping .455 for the JUCO World Series team, homered seven times, and drove in 44 runs.

Burgess should also bolster the Bulldogs' offense on the base paths, having swiped 19 bases in the JUCO ranks last season.

Jack Moroknek

Outfielder Jack Moroknek had a breakout 2024 season for Butler. In his first season seeing action for the Bulldogs, Moroknek batted .327 and slugged .588 with 13 home runs.

Should Moroknek make a jump in his second full season in the lineup, expect him to emerge as one of the most dangerous power hitters in the BIG EAST.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 26 at Louisville
March 12 at Purdue
March 18 at Notre Dame
April 4-6 at Xavier
April 11-13 vs. Villanova
April 17-19 at Georgetown
April 25-27 at Seton Hall
May 2-4 vs. Creighton
May 9-11 at UConn
May 15-17 vs. St. John’s

UConn Baseball Preview

BIG EAST regular-season champions in every season of the post-pandemic era, UConn looks for the five-peat in 2025. The Huskies have the firepower to pull off the rare feat, returning multiple All-BIG EAST honorees and welcoming some potential high-impact newcomers.

UConn's pursuit of another conference title, and push for the program's first College World Series appearance since 1979, begins with an ambitious non-conference schedule. The Huskies go from Puerto Rico in the season's first week, to the West Coast for games against USC, UCLA and a showdown with perennial national title contender Vanderbilt at Dodger Stadium. UConn then heads across the country for a series at Miami.

The Huskies will have logged plenty of miles by the time BIG EAST play begins, but the travel will test this team's championship mettle.

Head Coach: Jim Penders

2024 Record: 35-26 (17-4)

Players to Watch

Brady Afthim

All-BIG EAST reliever Brady Afthim has trimmed his ERA in each of his three seasons at UConn, from 4.05 in 2022 to 3.91 in 2023 and down to 2.84 last season.

Afthim struck out 27 batters in 25 1/3 innings of work in 2024 and came up in the clutch with eight saves.

Ian Cooke

Among the nation's most dominant pitchers in terms of strikeouts, right-hander Ian Cooke has increased his output each season from 54 in 2022 to 60 in 2023 and a whopping 85 in 2023. Cooke's next strikeout will be his 200th as a Husky.

In addition to his impressive strikeout numbers, Cooke finished last season with a 4.81 ERA; his best in two seasons as a regular starter.

Maddix Dalena

Tops among returning Huskies with 13 home runs, powerhouse first baseman Maddix Dalena is a major weapon for the UConn offense. He slugged .511 in 2024 and more than doubled his walks drawn from the season prior, going from 13 to 27.

In the New England Collegiate League this past summer, showed his ability to hit for average, as well, finishing at .290. Putting together a season hitting for average and power could see Dalena parlay his preseason BIG EAST Player of the Year nod into the top individual honor at season's end.

Tyler Minick

Infielder Tyler Minick had a tremendous debut season at UConn, finishing his freshman campaign playing his best ball. Minick earned All-BIG EAST Tournament for a showing that included a four-RBI outing against Georgetown.

That game was part of a torrid finish to the campaign, during which Minick had hits in 13 of UConn's final 15 contests. That run included an outstanding 4-for-4 performance vs. Creighton. Carrying that conclusion into 2025, Minick figures to be one of the Huskies' stars this season and begins the spring tabbed as a preseason All-BIG EAST selection at third base.

Bryan Padilla

With his proven ability to man multiple infield spots equally effectively, Bryan Padilla is a versatile defender for the UConn infield. The 2024 All-BIG EAST selection has also shown plenty of pop at the plate.

Last season, Padilla drove in 39 runs, homered six times, and slugged .444. He's been consistent throughout his time as a Husky, homering at least six times in each of the previous three seasons for 20 going into 2025.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 15 vs. Missouri (in Caguas, Puerto Rico)
Feb. 16 vs. Penn State (in Caguas, Puerto Rico)
Feb. 21-23 at FAU
Feb. 28 vs. USC (in Irvine, Calif.)
March 1 at UCLA
March 2 vs. Vanderbilt (at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles)
March 7-9 at Miami
March 14-16 at Campbell
March 18 at Duke
March 19 at North Carolina
March 25 vs. Boston College
March 26 at Northeastern
April 4-6 at Creighton
April 11-13 vs. Georgetown
April 25-27 at St. John’s
April 29 vs. Rutgers
May 13 vs. Northeastern

Creighton Baseball Preview

Perennial contender Creighton endured an unusual backslide in league play during 2024. Look for the Bluejays to bounce back in the 2025 BIG EAST race, perhaps giving UConn its primary challenge for conference supremacy.

Creighton returns a veteran batting order, including a potential BIG EAST Player of the Year in Nolan Sailors. Solidifying the pitching staff could be the key that determines the Bluejays' fate, as they look to send longtime coach Ed Servais out a winner.

Servais announced last spring that the 2025 campaign will be his last heading up the program. The 2019 BIG EAST Coach of the Year has led Creighton to five NCAA Tournament appearances in a tenure that began in 2004.

Head Coach: Ed Servais

2024 Record: 35-17 (7-13)

Players to Watch

Tate Gillen

Each of outfielder Tate Gillen's first two seasons at Creighton were shortened; he appeared in 34 games in 2023 and 33 last year. However, he's shown plenty of promise to be a difference-maker.

Gillen hit .319 in 113 at-bats last season. He drove in 27 and homered twice, and was one of the BIG EAST's most dangerous base-stealing threats with 12. Should the Bluejays get a full season out of Gillen, he could be an All-Conference playmaker.

Kyle Hess

Veteran second baseman Kyle Hess transferred to Creighton from Notre Dame before the 2022 season and had a solid debut campaign. After injuries derailed his 2023, Hess returned in 2024 to hit .302 in 106 at-bats. Hess is also a reliable glove on the Bluejays infield.

His 2025 season could be Hess' full breakout campaign. He's tabbed as a preseason All-BIG EAST selection.

Eli Nissen

Lefty Eli Nissen began his college career impressively. He made 15 appearances and eight starts as a freshman, maintaining a 4.23 ERA and one of the better opponent batting averages among Creighton pitchers at .243. Nissen also struck out 40 batters in 44 1/3 innings pitched.

As a sophomore, Nissen could be one of the cornerstones of the Bluejays pitching staff. He gives Creighton an immediate advantage as one of the BIG EAST's most tested and productive left-handers heading into the 2025 campaign.

Nolan Sailors

Outfielder Nolan Sailors was outstanding in 2024. As a junior, Sailors led Creighton in a variety of batting categories, including an average of .355 and RBI of 55. Sailors was also the Bluejays leader in stolen bases with 18 in 22 attempts.

Look for Sailors' to be the pillar of the Creighton offense throughout 2025.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 28-March 2 at Charleston
March 14-16 at San Francisco
April 1 at Nebraska
April 4-6 vs. UConn
April 15 vs. Nebraska
April 17-19 vs. St. John’s
May 6 at Nebraska
May 9-11 vs. Xavier
May 15-17 at Georgetown

Georgetown Baseball Preview

Georgetown has never been to the NCAA Tournament, but the 2024 Hoyas nearly ended that drought. A 2024 to remember ended with the Hoyas setting program records for BIG EAST wins with 13 and total victories with 36.

Georgetown also has a three-year streak of above-.500 finishes, an achievement last reached in the mid-1980s. The 2025 Hoyas look to make it four in a row; but, more importantly, they'll aim to break through for Georgetown's first-ever NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach: Edwin Thompson

2024 Record: 36-20 (13-7)

Players to Watch

Owen Carapoletti

The preseason choice at catcher for All-BIG EAST, Owen Carapoletti returns to Georgetown for his senior season ready to build on a strong 2024. Carapoletti hit a team-leading 14 home runs and his 53 runs driven in were second among all Hoyas hitters.

Carapoletti came just shy of a 1.000 OPS, closing out the season at .991. With a solid .284 batting average and his proven power, Carapoletti is among the conference's most dangerous hitters.

Kavi Caster

Outfielder Kavi Caster was crucial to Georgetown's breakout last year, and will be a driving force for the Hoyas' postseason push in 2025. The graduate senior produced a team-best 1.033 OPS and slugged .638 in 2024, reflections of his 12 home runs, 11 doubles and four triples.

The preseason All-BIG EAST selection also swiped nine bases a season ago, tops among returning Hoyas. His power and speed combine to make Caster a major difference-maker for this Georgetown club.

Connor Price

Long Island transfer Connor Price brings experience that should translate to him playing an immediately key role for Georgetown this season. The catcher and first baseman was limited to 14 games in 2024, but in 2023, was among the most productive batters in the Northeast Conference.

Price hit .341 for the Sharks two years ago, homering six times and driving in 33. He also swiped sevn bases in a breakout campaign.

Andrew Williams

Left-handed starting pitcher Andrew Williams had an impressive 2024. Working 65 innings over 16 appearances, including 10 starts, Williams compiled a 2.91 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .248 average.

Selected a preseason All-BIG EAST pitcher, Williams has the stuff to solidify himself as a top Friday starter.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 28-March 2 at Florida State
March 11 & 12 vs. Penn State
March 18 at Maryland
April 4-6 at Villanova
April 11-13 at UConn
April 14 vs. Oregon
April 22 at Virginia
April 25-27 at Xavier
April 29 vs. Maryland
May 2-4 vs. St. John's
May 15-17 vs. Creighton

Seton Hall Baseball Preview

Seton Hall was a consistent winner in the BIG EAST throughout the 2010s, reaching the conference tournament each year from 2011 through 2019. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pirates have missed 2-of-4 league championships, including last season's.

In 2025, Seton Hall tries to navigate a strong conference with an abundance of new faces needed to step up at the plate. On the mound, however, Seton Hall has a one-two punch as good as any in the BIG EAST with proven starters Ryan Reich and Cole Hansen.

Head Coach: Rob Sheppard

2024 Record: 24-30 (7-14)

Players to Watch

Casey Cumiskey

After making limited appearances in his 2024 freshman campaign, Casey Cumiskey should be one of the Pirates expected to step into prominent roles in 2025.

Cumiskey homered and drove in seven runs during his 33 at-bats as a freshman. He was also 1-for-1 on stolen-base attempts. The all-time career hits leader at nearby Spotswood High School, Cumiskey will get a chance to bring that consistent bat to the college level in his sophomore season.

Cole Hansen

Right-handed pitcher Cole Hansen threw a team-leading 72 2/3 innings in 2024 and had impressive overall numbers: 3.96 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP with 56 strikeouts against only 18 walks, and a .228 opposing batting average.

With Hansen and Ryan Reich set to anchor the Pirates pitching staff, Seton Hall should have one of the most starting pitching corps in the BIG EAST.

Ryan Reich

Unanimous preseason All-BIG EAST selection Ryan Reich returns after a strong 2024 on the mound. The 6-foot-2 right-hander made 14 starts, during which he held opposing batters to a scant .218 average and struck out 89 while walking 36.

Reich's command and ability to get batters to flail is exceptional. He heads into the new season as arguably the most established ace among the conference's veteran arms.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 14-16, MLB Desert Invitation (in Phoenix)
Feb. 21-23 at Charleston
March 14-16 at Stony Brook
April 2 vs. Princeton
April 4-6 vs. St. John's
April 8 at Rutgers
April 11-13 vs. Creighton
April 17-19 at UConn
May 2-4 at Xavier
May 9-11 vs. Georgetown

St. John’s Baseball Preview

BIG EAST Coach of the Year Mike Hampton's Red Storm stormed through the conference tournament on the way to St. John's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. The Red Storm scored an elimination-game win over Penn in the Charlottesville Regional before bowing out vs. Mississippi State.

St. John's looks to the road to Omaha in 2025 but must replace a number of the key contributors responsible for the Johnnies' 2024 success. BIG EAST Tournament Most Outstanding Player Jimmy Keenan transferred to Wake Forest, Blake Mayberry landed at Lynn University and Mario Pesca is at Oklahoma State.

The cupboard is hardly empty, however. Projected to finish near the top of the BIG EAST in the preseason poll, St. John's promises to contend with plenty of game-changers back for 2025, and some potential new contributors poised to emerge.

Head Coach: Mike Hampton

2024 Record: 38-18-1 (14-7)

Players to Watch

Louis Marinaro

Left-handed reliever Louis Marinaro earned All-BIG EAST honors in 2024 for his 3.38 ERA and minuscule .98 WHIP maintained over 22 appearances. Marinaro worked 48 innings in total, mowing down an impressive 58 batters with just 16 walks.

The dominant left-hander's role in 2025 should be fun to see unfold. He made a start last season against Sam Houston early on in the campaign. Could he be a candidate for more starts in the coming spring?

Luke Orbon

Preseason All-BIG EAST shortstop Luke Orbon was in on 15 double plays a season ago, had 139 assists and 63 putouts, and maintained a .940 fielding percentage. Orbon was also a steady presence at the plate for St. John's, hitting .217 in 192 at-bats with 33 RBI, five home runs, and a .427 slugging percentage.

Orbon's 10 stolen bases also helped drive a Red Storm offense that thrived on moving runners along methodically.

Jackson Tucker

Speedy Jackson Tucker is a threat to turn any hit to the outfield into extra bases, and a constant reminder for opposing pitchers to be wary of the steal once he's aboard. Tucker legged out four triples and 17 doubles in 2024, which combined with his 21 stolen bases, made him a major catalyst for the Johnnies offense.

Tucker's also consistent at the dish, last year producing a .293 batting average. Look for him to be in the hunt to hit .300 in 2025.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 14-16 at Liberty
Feb. 21-23 at Wake Forest
Feb. 28-March 2 at Louisville
March 4 at Ohio State
March 19 vs. Fairfield
April 1 vs. Washington
April 4-6 vs. Seton Hall
April 11-13 vs. Xavier
April 15 vs. Hofstra
April 17-19 at Creighton
April 22 vs. Rutgers
April 25-27 vs. UConn
May 2-4 at Georgetown

Villanova Baseball Preview

Although Villanova has been consistently in the lower-half of the BIG EAST standings, the Wildcats have shown marked improvement since coach Kevin Mulvey's arrival. The next hurdle for the Wildcats is getting above .500 in conference play, and perhaps going on a dark-horse run to the program's first NCAA Tournament since 1991.

Villanova welcomes a variety of newcomers in 2025 who could help elevate the team into the upper-half of the conference with the right breaks.

Head Coach: Kevin Mulvey

2024 Record: 17-34 (8-13)

Players to Watch

Austin Lemon

A high school standout in Oklahoma City, Austin Lemon arrives at Villanova after spending a redshirt season at Oklahoma State. Lemon was a Perfect Game top 500-ranked outfield and shortstop prospect coming out of Heritage Hall High School, where in 2023 he hit an incredible .570.

Lemon spent the summer with Johnson City of the Appalachian League. He hit .291 in 141 at-bats, drove in 21 and stole 11 bases.

Luke McCollough

Luke McCollough was one of Villanova's top starters in 2024. In 17 appearances and 12 starts, the 6-foot-3 right-hander worked a team-high 64 innings during which he struck out 48 and held opposing batters to a .258 average.

The 2024 season, McCollough's first at Villanova, was a significant rebound for him after struggling in limited appearances at Utah Valley in 2023. Another big step forward in 2025 could see McCollough develop into a reliable Friday starter for the Wildcats.

Jason Neff

Catcher Jason Neff is Villanova's top returning hitter, coming off a 2024 season with nine home runs and 43 RBI. Neff had a seven-game hitting streak in the back half of the campaign and a prior five-game stretch with at least one RBI.

Before landing at Villanova, Neff worked behind the dish at Richmond. He hit .290 for the Spiders in 2023, an average that if he can produce in 2025 will be vital for a Wildcats offense that lacked ra eliable spark a season ago.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 14-16, Puerto Rico Challenge (in Ponce, Puerto Rico)
Feb. 21-23 at Winthrop
March 5 at Miami
March 7-9 at South Florida
March 19 vs. Princeton
April 4-6 vs. Georgetown
April 9 vs. Penn
April 11-13 at Butler
April 17-19 vs. Xavier
April 25-27 at Creighton
April 29 at Saint Joseph's
May 2-4 vs. UConn
May 9-11 at St. John's
May 13 vs. Saint Joseph's
May 15-17 vs. Seton Hall

Xavier Baseball Preview

A run through the 2023 BIG EAST Championship sent Xavier to its fifth NCAA Tournament since 2009, and first since 2017. The Musketeers look to make it back to the postseason, this time with a BIG EAST regular-season title in tow.

Xavier has the pieces to contend for the league crown in 2025, particularly at the plate. The Musketeers' batting order is among the most proven in the BIG EAST, featuring a quartet of hitters who knocked a combined 45 round-trippers in 2024, a league-leading 18 of which came from Aedan Anderson.

Head Coach: Billy O’Connor

2024 Record: 30-27 (12-9)

Players to Watch

Aedan Anderson

An outstanding 2024 at the plate ended with Aedan Anderson leading the BIG EAST in home runs, slugging .641, and drawing a healthy 35 walks. Anderson was also the lone Musketeer with at least 100 at-bats to reach a 1.000 OPS at 1.039.

The veteran outfielder from Orange County, California, provides Xavier with plenty of juice. Look for him to contend for All-BIG EAST honors in 2025.

Nick Boyle

After opening 2024 in the starting rotation, 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher Nick Boyle returned to the bullpen — but not before delivering one of the most electric starts of the campaign for any BIG EAST pitcher. His 11-strikeout effort in a win against Indiana State was the highlight of Boyle's 2024, which finished with some strong performances in relief.

Racking up up 58 strikeouts in just 46 1/3 innings, Boyle proved he has some nasty stuff. If the veteran can cut down on his 6-plus ERA, he'll be an asset to a pitching staff that is the biggest question mark facing Xavier ahead of the season.

Luke Hammond

One of three Musketeers to hit a double-digit number of home runs in 2024, Luke Hammond's 11 moonshots combined with a solid .290 batting average. The third baseman hit .290 the season prior, as well, but went without a homer.

If Hammond can maintain that average approaching .300 for yet another season, while producing another jump in his home-run production, he'll be one of the BIG EAST's top hitters.

Carter Hendrickson

A reliable leadoff man and a threat on the base paths, veteran outfielder Carter Hendrickson is adept at leveraging his speed on offense. He hit a team-high .303 in 2024, and his 12 steals on 14 attempts were the second-most among all Musketeers.

Connor Misch

Connor Misch earned All-BIG EAST honors as a designated hitter in 2024. In his second year with Xavier, Misch capitalized on more plate appearances in a big way, mashing eight home runs and putting together three different five-game hitting streaks.

Misch can also man first base for the Musketeers as called upon.

2025 Games to Watch

Feb. 14-17, Sanderson Ford Baseball Classic (in Surprise, Arizona)
Feb. 19 at Louisville
Feb. 25 at Indiana
Feb. 28-March 2 at Stanford
March 5 at Tennessee
March 7-9 at Vanderbilt
March 11 at LSU
March 21-23 vs. Ball State
March 28-30 vs. UConn
April 8 & 9, Joe Nuxhall Classic (in Mason, Ohio)
April 11-13 at St. John's
April 15 at Cincinnati
April 22 vs. Cincinnati
April 25-27 vs. Georgetown
May 2-4 vs. Seton Hall
May 9-11 at Creighton
May 15-17 at Penn State

FloBaseball Archived Footage

Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloBaseball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Join the Conversation on Social

Follow us on Twitter @FloCollegeBSB.
Follow us on Instagram @FloCollegeBaseball.
Watch us on YouTube.
Like us on Facebook.