Four Huskies Claim Big Ten Awards
May 19, 2026 | Baseball
Jackson Hotchkiss has been on an absolute tear this season, leading him to his first career postseason conference award. After missing the month of February due to injury, he's made 42 consecutive starts and been the best offensive output for Washington. He's tallied a .354 batting average while scoring 45 runs on 62 hits, all team-high marks. He has the most home runs on the team (19) and is pacing the Huskies in slugging percentage (.739), the 24th-best mark in the NCAA, and in total bases (99).
Hotchkiss has been one of the best hitters in the Big Ten, leading the conference in home runs per game (.44) while ranking in the top 10 in slugging percentage, home runs, hits per game, runs batted in per game, total bases, and runs per game. With his 19th home run of the year last weekend, Hotchkiss moved up to a tie for No. 3 in the Husky record books for the most home runs in a single season, in a tie with Joe Wainhouse (2018), Kyle Conley two times (2008 & 2009), and Dominic Woody (1999). With one more home run, Hotchkiss would become just the third player in program history to reach 20, joining Zach Clem (20 - 2006), and record holder Chad Boudon (22 - 2003).
Colton Bower has been dominant offensively this season as well. Despite a few injuries, he's made 36 starts at catcher and designated hitter this season and has been right behind Hotchkiss in offensive productivity. Bower has a .331 batting average on 45 hits, including 10 doubles, three triples, and a 12 home runs. He's had two multiple home run games, including a three-home run game at Indiana where he became just the second player in program history to record three bombs in one game.
Despite missing 18 games, Bower has set career-high marks across the board. He also was named Big Ten Player of the Week for the first time in his career earlier this season.
Noah Kenney has been an asset on the mound for the Huskies all season long, leading him to his All-Big Ten third team selection. He has set career-high marks on multiple occasions this season, most recently setting a new career-high for innings pitched against Michigan State. The junior threw into the ninth frame against the Spartans, finishing with 8.1 innings under his belt just two weeks after setting a career-high mark of 7.0 innings.
During week eight of the season, Kenney was named to the Baseball America National Team of the Week. He diced up Valparaiso, leading the Huskies to a 6-0 shutout win with a career-high 14 strikeouts. It's the second award recognition of the season for the Parker, Colo. native after he was named to the College Baseball Foundation's Pitcher of the Year watch list.
Kenney has had a strong campaign so far which has garnered him the national attention. He's collected four wins in his 12 starts and has the most innings pitched (77.2) and strikeouts (85) of any Husky. The right-hander has 14 appearances and 13 starts this year, pitching more than four innings in all but one of his appearances. Among his starts, he's thrown at least five innings in all but two, including at least six innings in six of his last eight games.
Tommy Brandenburg has been a valuable pitcher and leader for the Dawgs this year. As both a starter and a reliever, Tommy Brandenburg has been strong option for the Huskies on the bump this season. Brandenburg currently leads the team with four saves. He's also claimed two wins on the season and leads the team in total appearances at 23, 21 of which have been in relief, also leading the team. His four saves this year rank eighth in the Big Ten.
Big Ten Conference Postseason Awards
Jackson Hotchkiss - All-Big Ten First Team
Colton Bower - All-Big Ten Second Team
Noah Kenney - All-Big Ten Third Team
Tommy Brandenburg - Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
