2025 Season In Review
June 05, 2025 | Baseball
SEATTLE - In a year full of change including a new conference, new head coach, and plenty of new faces, Washington Baseball exceeded expectations and turned in a successful first season under the guidance of head coach Eddie Smith. The Huskies concluded the year with a 29-28 record, including a fifth place finish in the Big Ten Conference.
Going into year two with Coach Smith at the helm, Washington has a fantastic foundation to build on.
FIRST SEASON UNDER SMITH
On July 9, 2024, Eddie Smith was named the 25th head coach of University of Washington baseball, announced by UW Director of Athletics Pat Chun. Smith, a native of Olympia, Washington, comes to Montlake after three seasons at Utah Valley.
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B1G TOURNAMENT BATTLE
In its first season in the Big Ten, Washington also made its first Big Ten Tournament appearance. The Huskies claimed the No. 5 seed and played two games in Omaha, falling to No. 9 Penn State and No. 4 USC. Washington concluded its 2025 season at 29-28 overall.
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GOING, GOING, GUERRERO
In the Big Ten Tournament against USC, which was the final game of his collegiate career, senior slugger AJ Guerrero blasted the 43rd home run of his tenure on Montlake to set a new home run record at Washington. In the previous Big Ten Tournament game against Penn State, Guerrero also homered, giving him two long balls in his last two games. (1. 43, AJ Guerrero 2022-25; T-2. Kyle Conley, 2006-09; T-2. 42, Ed Erickson, 1997-00; 4. 41, Zach Clem, 2003-06; 5. 36, Will Simpson, 2020-23).
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The Fife, Wash. native led Washington in multi-hit games (21), hits (70), doubles (16), total bases (116), home runs (10), runs batted in (39), slugging percentage (.532) is second in batting average (.321), on base percentage (.413), runs scored (42) and is third in walks (31).
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Guerrero is all over the record book in other categories as well. He's currently first in career hits (271), first in career at bats (853), tied for first in career RBI (169), fourth in career doubles (49), tied for third in career games played (213), and seventh in career walks (109).
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CLASS OF THE CONFERENCE
Four Huskies were named to All-Big Ten Teams. Isaac Yeager garnered first team honors, Max Banks collected a second team award, AJ Guerrero was named a third team honoree, and Malakhi Knight earned a spot on the defensive team and the sportsmanship award.
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STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS
Four Huskies earned Academic All-District recognition for their work in the classroom in addition to their success on the field. Max Banks, Colton Bower, Sam DeCarlo, and Josh Emanuels each collected the academic accolade.
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SEVENTH BIG TEN SERIES WIN
Washington collected its seventh conference series victory over the weekend against USC. The Dawgs took games one and two of the series and finish the season with a 17-13 Big Ten record, the fifth-best mark in the conference. Washington homered in each game, with Malakhi Knight launching a three-run go-ahead home run in the first game, Jackson Hotchkiss hit a solo home run in the second game, and Blake Wilson tagged a two-run shot in the third game.
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B1G TIME HUSKIES
The Diamond Dawgs have adapted well to the new conference, finishing fifth in the standings at the end of the regular season. Washington (17-13) trails only Oregon (22-8), UCLA (22-8), Iowa (21-9), and USC (18-12).
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The Huskies were picked to finish 17th out of 17 teams by D1 Baseball in the conference season preview. In the Big Ten preseason poll where only the top six teams are named, Washington was not selected.
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BANKS BALLING
Despite the loss in the Big Ten Tournament, Banks turned in another impressive performance. The senior threw his 10th game this season of at least 6.0 IP and finishes the season with a 7-4 record. After allowing a one-out RBI single in the first, Banks went on to retire 14 straight batters without allowing a hit. On seven occasions this season, Banks tossed 6.0 or more innings with less than two earned runs allowed.
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Banks wasΒ one of the best pitchers in the conference, ranking in the top ten in four major categories. He finished sixth in victories (7), seventh in ERA (3.67), eighth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.21), and 10th in WHIP (1.18). In addition to the above stats in which he led the team, Banks also toppedΒ the Huskies in batting average against (.222), batters struck out (65), and batters struck out looking (17).
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BIG PLAY YEAGER
Isaac Yeager became one of the most dependable relief arms on the team and added his seventh save in the series opener against USC. He ranks sixth in the conference and 50th in the NCAA in total saves and is second on the team in total strikeouts (57). He also has a team-high 24 appearances on the season.
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In his second appearance of the series on Sunday against USC, Yeager turned in 5.0 innings in relief, allowing just one run on five hits with four punchouts.
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SLAMMIN' SAMMY
Sam DeCarlo led the Huskies in runs scored (42), was second in hits (61), second in home runs (8), second in multiple hit games (15), and second in total bases (92). He was far more than just a power hitter in 2025, however. The shortstop was a beacon of consistency for Washington this season, serving as the only Husky to start every game this season and he led the team with 129 assists. He also was second on the team in fielding double plays (27). DeCarlo was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, making him one of the top-100 shortstops in the nation.
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WALKING THE WALK
Casen Taggart showed his patience at the plate, earning 46 walks this season. He was among the best in taking bases on balls in the country, sitting 53rd in the NCAA in total walks and fifth in the Big Ten. On a per game basis, Taggart had the 33rd-highest mark in the country and was also fifth the Big Ten (0.92). He collected four walks on two occasions this season, most recently against Purdue (4/6).
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Taggart cemented himself as one of the best batters on the team, earning a .331 batting average to lead the team, along with a team-best .471 on base percentage. Taggart also owned the longest reached base streak on the team this season, sitting at 31 straight games.
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DYNAMIC DAWG DEFENSE
The Husky defense has been just as strong as the pitching, leading the Diamond Dawgs to four shutouts, the 30th-most in the NCAA. The Huskies' fielding percentage also sits at .977, the sixth-best in the conference and 30th in the NCAA.
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THOMAS ON TOP
Jackson Thomas has been a consistent starter for the Huskies since making his first start against San Francisco earlier this season. He turned in 13 total starts, 10 of which he threw for at least 5.0 innings. In eight of those starts, he allowed two or less runs.
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Among pitchers reaching the minimum of 1.0 IP per game, he leads the team in least walks (28) and home runs allowed (6). He's also second on the team in earned run average (4.27), opposing batting average (.276), runs allowed (34), and is third in strikeouts (48).
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Thomas previously played under Head Coach Eddie Smith at Utah Valley. While there, the right-hander amassed a 3-1 record in 38.1 innings pitched. He played in 12 games and made five starts, with opponents batting .271 against him.
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BOWER BOOMING
Colton Bower was a force behind the plate and as a hitter this season. Defensively, he caught 14 runners stealing. As a batter, Bower logged six home runs and had 34 hits on the season, including seven doubles.
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In the Big Ten rankings, Bower was second in both hit by pitch (24) and in hit by pitch per game (0.46). Bower was also in the top-30 in both hit by pitch statistics nationally, coming in at 29th in total HBP and 24th in per game.
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His 24 pitches worn this season are tied for the most in a season in program history.
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CENTERFIELD SHOWSTOPPER
Malakhi Knight was a dynamic defender for Washington in 2025, flashing impressive speed and skill while roaming in centerfield. Knight pulled back multiple home runs, including one against Illinois that landed him on the SportsCenter countdown. He also contributed to two double plays, on both occasions catching a runner trying to tag up and score.
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D3 DIAMONDS
For the third straight year, Washington hit the NCAA Division III ranks to add to its pitching staff through the transfer portal. The Huskies added right-hander Max Banks who enjoyed a strong three-year career at Division III Chapman, collectively going 12-4, 3.35 in three seasons with a 185-to-67 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 150 2/3 innings. Last season, Washington signed right-hander Spencer Dessart out of Middlebury College in Vermont, who posted a 4.32 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 50 innings. And in 2023, UW brought in D3 transfer Kiefer Lord out of Minnesota's Carleton College, with Lord going on to be a third round draft choice in the 2023 MLB Draft.
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IT CAN WAIT
For the third year in a row, a Washington commit turned down the opportunity to sign with an MLB team to join the Husky roster. Jackson Hotchkiss was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but opted to take his talents to UW first. Last season, Blake Wilson was drafted in the 20th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals but still made his way to Montlake. Former Husky Aiva Arquette was a 18th round draft choice by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 before coming to campus.
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Going into year two with Coach Smith at the helm, Washington has a fantastic foundation to build on.
FIRST SEASON UNDER SMITH
On July 9, 2024, Eddie Smith was named the 25th head coach of University of Washington baseball, announced by UW Director of Athletics Pat Chun. Smith, a native of Olympia, Washington, comes to Montlake after three seasons at Utah Valley.
Β
B1G TOURNAMENT BATTLE
In its first season in the Big Ten, Washington also made its first Big Ten Tournament appearance. The Huskies claimed the No. 5 seed and played two games in Omaha, falling to No. 9 Penn State and No. 4 USC. Washington concluded its 2025 season at 29-28 overall.
Β
GOING, GOING, GUERRERO
In the Big Ten Tournament against USC, which was the final game of his collegiate career, senior slugger AJ Guerrero blasted the 43rd home run of his tenure on Montlake to set a new home run record at Washington. In the previous Big Ten Tournament game against Penn State, Guerrero also homered, giving him two long balls in his last two games. (1. 43, AJ Guerrero 2022-25; T-2. Kyle Conley, 2006-09; T-2. 42, Ed Erickson, 1997-00; 4. 41, Zach Clem, 2003-06; 5. 36, Will Simpson, 2020-23).
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The Fife, Wash. native led Washington in multi-hit games (21), hits (70), doubles (16), total bases (116), home runs (10), runs batted in (39), slugging percentage (.532) is second in batting average (.321), on base percentage (.413), runs scored (42) and is third in walks (31).
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Guerrero is all over the record book in other categories as well. He's currently first in career hits (271), first in career at bats (853), tied for first in career RBI (169), fourth in career doubles (49), tied for third in career games played (213), and seventh in career walks (109).
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CLASS OF THE CONFERENCE
Four Huskies were named to All-Big Ten Teams. Isaac Yeager garnered first team honors, Max Banks collected a second team award, AJ Guerrero was named a third team honoree, and Malakhi Knight earned a spot on the defensive team and the sportsmanship award.
Β
STUDENT-ATHLETE SUCCESS
Four Huskies earned Academic All-District recognition for their work in the classroom in addition to their success on the field. Max Banks, Colton Bower, Sam DeCarlo, and Josh Emanuels each collected the academic accolade.
Β
SEVENTH BIG TEN SERIES WIN
Washington collected its seventh conference series victory over the weekend against USC. The Dawgs took games one and two of the series and finish the season with a 17-13 Big Ten record, the fifth-best mark in the conference. Washington homered in each game, with Malakhi Knight launching a three-run go-ahead home run in the first game, Jackson Hotchkiss hit a solo home run in the second game, and Blake Wilson tagged a two-run shot in the third game.
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B1G TIME HUSKIES
The Diamond Dawgs have adapted well to the new conference, finishing fifth in the standings at the end of the regular season. Washington (17-13) trails only Oregon (22-8), UCLA (22-8), Iowa (21-9), and USC (18-12).
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The Huskies were picked to finish 17th out of 17 teams by D1 Baseball in the conference season preview. In the Big Ten preseason poll where only the top six teams are named, Washington was not selected.
Β
BANKS BALLING
Despite the loss in the Big Ten Tournament, Banks turned in another impressive performance. The senior threw his 10th game this season of at least 6.0 IP and finishes the season with a 7-4 record. After allowing a one-out RBI single in the first, Banks went on to retire 14 straight batters without allowing a hit. On seven occasions this season, Banks tossed 6.0 or more innings with less than two earned runs allowed.
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Banks wasΒ one of the best pitchers in the conference, ranking in the top ten in four major categories. He finished sixth in victories (7), seventh in ERA (3.67), eighth in hits allowed per nine innings (7.21), and 10th in WHIP (1.18). In addition to the above stats in which he led the team, Banks also toppedΒ the Huskies in batting average against (.222), batters struck out (65), and batters struck out looking (17).
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BIG PLAY YEAGER
Isaac Yeager became one of the most dependable relief arms on the team and added his seventh save in the series opener against USC. He ranks sixth in the conference and 50th in the NCAA in total saves and is second on the team in total strikeouts (57). He also has a team-high 24 appearances on the season.
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In his second appearance of the series on Sunday against USC, Yeager turned in 5.0 innings in relief, allowing just one run on five hits with four punchouts.
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SLAMMIN' SAMMY
Sam DeCarlo led the Huskies in runs scored (42), was second in hits (61), second in home runs (8), second in multiple hit games (15), and second in total bases (92). He was far more than just a power hitter in 2025, however. The shortstop was a beacon of consistency for Washington this season, serving as the only Husky to start every game this season and he led the team with 129 assists. He also was second on the team in fielding double plays (27). DeCarlo was named to the Brooks Wallace Award Watch List, making him one of the top-100 shortstops in the nation.
Β
WALKING THE WALK
Casen Taggart showed his patience at the plate, earning 46 walks this season. He was among the best in taking bases on balls in the country, sitting 53rd in the NCAA in total walks and fifth in the Big Ten. On a per game basis, Taggart had the 33rd-highest mark in the country and was also fifth the Big Ten (0.92). He collected four walks on two occasions this season, most recently against Purdue (4/6).
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Taggart cemented himself as one of the best batters on the team, earning a .331 batting average to lead the team, along with a team-best .471 on base percentage. Taggart also owned the longest reached base streak on the team this season, sitting at 31 straight games.
Β
DYNAMIC DAWG DEFENSE
The Husky defense has been just as strong as the pitching, leading the Diamond Dawgs to four shutouts, the 30th-most in the NCAA. The Huskies' fielding percentage also sits at .977, the sixth-best in the conference and 30th in the NCAA.
Β
THOMAS ON TOP
Jackson Thomas has been a consistent starter for the Huskies since making his first start against San Francisco earlier this season. He turned in 13 total starts, 10 of which he threw for at least 5.0 innings. In eight of those starts, he allowed two or less runs.
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Among pitchers reaching the minimum of 1.0 IP per game, he leads the team in least walks (28) and home runs allowed (6). He's also second on the team in earned run average (4.27), opposing batting average (.276), runs allowed (34), and is third in strikeouts (48).
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Thomas previously played under Head Coach Eddie Smith at Utah Valley. While there, the right-hander amassed a 3-1 record in 38.1 innings pitched. He played in 12 games and made five starts, with opponents batting .271 against him.
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BOWER BOOMING
Colton Bower was a force behind the plate and as a hitter this season. Defensively, he caught 14 runners stealing. As a batter, Bower logged six home runs and had 34 hits on the season, including seven doubles.
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In the Big Ten rankings, Bower was second in both hit by pitch (24) and in hit by pitch per game (0.46). Bower was also in the top-30 in both hit by pitch statistics nationally, coming in at 29th in total HBP and 24th in per game.
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His 24 pitches worn this season are tied for the most in a season in program history.
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CENTERFIELD SHOWSTOPPER
Malakhi Knight was a dynamic defender for Washington in 2025, flashing impressive speed and skill while roaming in centerfield. Knight pulled back multiple home runs, including one against Illinois that landed him on the SportsCenter countdown. He also contributed to two double plays, on both occasions catching a runner trying to tag up and score.
Β
D3 DIAMONDS
For the third straight year, Washington hit the NCAA Division III ranks to add to its pitching staff through the transfer portal. The Huskies added right-hander Max Banks who enjoyed a strong three-year career at Division III Chapman, collectively going 12-4, 3.35 in three seasons with a 185-to-67 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 150 2/3 innings. Last season, Washington signed right-hander Spencer Dessart out of Middlebury College in Vermont, who posted a 4.32 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 50 innings. And in 2023, UW brought in D3 transfer Kiefer Lord out of Minnesota's Carleton College, with Lord going on to be a third round draft choice in the 2023 MLB Draft.
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IT CAN WAIT
For the third year in a row, a Washington commit turned down the opportunity to sign with an MLB team to join the Husky roster. Jackson Hotchkiss was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but opted to take his talents to UW first. Last season, Blake Wilson was drafted in the 20th round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals but still made his way to Montlake. Former Husky Aiva Arquette was a 18th round draft choice by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022 before coming to campus.
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