New York, December 18, 2024 - The Connecticut Huskies have emerged as the dominant force in the 2024 BIG EAST Baseball scene. Their remarkable achievements last season have set the stage for an exciting campaign ahead. Senior right-handed pitcher Ian Cooke and junior first baseman Maddix Dalena have been recognized with prestigious preseason awards, highlighting the team's talent and potential.

Preseason Player and Pitcher of the Year

Ian Cooke, the reigning BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year, has been a key contributor to the Huskies' success. In his third season with the team, he appeared in 17 games and made 10 starts on the mound. With a 5-2 record and a 4.81 ERA, he pitched 67.1 innings and struck out 85 batters. His performance was crucial in leading the Huskies to a regional win over Duke, where he had four strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work.Maddix Dalena, the Preseason Player of the Year, also had an outstanding 2024. He played in 55 games and made 54 starts, primarily at first base. Hitting at a.242 average with 12 doubles, 13 home runs, and 43 RBI, he ranked second on the team with 13 multi-RBI games and 13 multi-hit games.

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team

The Preseason All-BIG EAST Team is a testament to the Huskies' depth and talent. Owen Carapellotti from Georgetown was named the catcher, while Maddix Dalena from UConn took the first base spot. Kyle Hess from Creighton and Tyler Minick from UConn shared the third base position. Bryan Padilla from UConn and Luke Orbon from St. John's were selected as shortstops. Connor Misch from Xavier was the designated hitter, and a group of talented outfielders including Jack Moroknek from Butler, Caleb Shpur from UConn, Nolan Sailors from Creighton, Kavi Caster from Georgetown, Jackson Tucker from St. John's, and Aedan Anderson from Xavier made the team. Ian Cooke from UConn was named the starting pitcher, along with Dominic Cancellieri from Creighton, Andrew Williams from Georgetown, Evan Chaffee from St. John's, and Ryan Reich from Seton Hall. Brady Afthim from UConn and Louis Marinaro from St. John's were the relief pitchers. It's notable that there were unanimous selections (*) and extra members due to a tie in voting.

2025 Preseason Baseball All-BIG EAST Team and Awards

The Huskies enter the 2025 preseason with high hopes. Their performance in the previous season has earned them a strong reputation, and they are expected to continue their dominance. The preseason poll reflects the coaches' confidence in the teams, with UConn leading the way with 7 first-place votes and 49 points. Xavier is close behind with 38 points, followed by St. John's with 37 points, Creighton with 30 points, Georgetown with 25 points, Seton Hall with 24 points, Villanova with 12 points, and Butler with 9 points.The Huskies' journey in the 2025 preseason is one to watch. Their talented players and coaching staff are determined to build on their success and bring home more championships. With the preseason awards and team selections in place, the stage is set for an exciting season of BIG EAST Baseball.