BYU Baseball Reliever Named Preseason All-America First Team
Feb 12, 2025, 5:53 PM | Updated: Feb 13, 2025, 4:27 pm
BYU Cougars reliever Stone Cushing delivers a pitch during the Cougars' 2025 spring game. (BYU Photo)
(BYU Photo)
PROVO, Utah – BYU Cougars relief pitcher Stone Cushing is piling up the preseason accolades after being named to the NCBWA Preseason All-America First Team.
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association announced its preseason All-America teams on Wednesday, February 12.
RELATED: Stone Cushing Named To Big 12 All-Preseason Team
Our guy @stone_cush🤙 pic.twitter.com/bbJ91K9gbZ
— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) February 12, 2025
The senior was one of three relievers recognized on the Big 12 All-Preseason team. Cushing also begins the year on the NCBWSA Stopper of the Year preseason watch list. He enters the campaign tied for eighth in the country in active save leaders.
The NCBWA Stopper of the Year award is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Joining Cushing on the Stopper of the Year preseason watch list from the Big 12 are Abeldt (TCU), Casey Hintz and Tony Pluta (Arizona), Dalton Smith (Kansas), Kris Sosnowski (UCF) and Gavin Van Kempen (West Virginia).
Former Utah closer and current Detroit Tigers farmhand Micah Ashman made the 2024 Stopper of the Year watch list. Cushing was also named to the 2024 Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List.
Cushing joins former Cougar Reid McLaughlin as the second BYU hurler in the past three years to make the NCBWA preseason list.
About Stone Cushing
Born and raised in Salem, Utah, Cushing was named to Utah’s 5A All-State First Team and earned Region 8 MVP honors in 2021.
The 5’10 righty began his collegiate career at the College of Southern Idaho in 2022. Cushing took the mound in 16 games, striking out 41 batters in 27.1 innings. The Golden Eagles finished the year third in the Scenic West Athletics Conference, going 25-13 in conference play and 40-19 overall.
The wait is almost over ⏳ pic.twitter.com/JpItb3qhzE
— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) February 5, 2025
Cushing became an elite Big 12 reliever, leading the conference with ten saves in his first season as a Cougar. He was one of 14 pitchers in the country to finish with ten or more saves. His ten saves are tied for the second-highest total in program history (McLaughlin-2022).
One season in Provo allowed Cushing to move into fifth place on BYU’s all-time saves list. His 25 games finished led the Big 12, and he was tied for the conference lead with 29 appearances in relief.
Cushing finished his junior season with a 3.93 earned run average and struck out 46 batters.
BYU Announces Miller Park Upgrades
Miller Park, home of BYU baseball and softball, is getting a facelift as the Cougars look to improve fan access and add indoor batting cages.
The BYU athletics department announced the upgrades on Thursday, February 6. The improvements include six indoor batting cages for the baseball and softball teams. The fan experience will also be upgraded with a VIP hosting area and 200 additional field-level seats east of the Cougars bullpen.
“The new hitting facility is an important addition for our baseball and softball programs,” said BYU Director of Athletics Tom Holmoe. “This facility will enhance both programs and provide new opportunities for our student-athletes to improve and be successful. We would like to express our appreciation to the BYU Board of Trustees, the central administration, and the donors who helped make this project a reality.”
“The facility is a major commitment to our program,” said BYU baseball head coach Trent Pratt. “It will enhance recruiting, the student-athlete experience, and the development of our players. We want to thank the BYU administration and donors who made the project possible.”
Coming soon 🤙
•New indoor hitting facility
•New baseball VIP hosting area above the hitting facility with an additional 200 VIP field level seats pic.twitter.com/oDQZZGtyeg— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) February 6, 2025
The 6,000-square-foot facility will be located along the third base line, between the current stands and the baseball bullpen.
“We are grateful to all those who worked together to make the new hitting facility a reality,” said BYU softball head coach Gordon Eakin. “It will provide important resources to further develop our student-athletes and better prepare them to achieve their goals.”
Follow The BYU Cougars With KSL Sports
BYU opens the 2025 campaign against Fresno State at Bob Bennett Stadium in Fresno, California, on February 14. BYU’s home schedule begins on Wednesday, March 5, against Stetson.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on Twitter and Instagram at @bpreece24.
