Five members of the Washington Huskies men’s baseball team were named College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selections, the organization announced on June 2. Colton Bower, Tommy Brandenburg, Sam DeCarlo, Jackson Hotchkiss, and Casen Taggart received the honor for their achievements both on the field and in the classroom.
The Academic All-District baseball teams recognize student-athletes from across the nation who excel academically and athletically. The College Sports Communicators Academic All-America program separately recognizes honorees in NCAA Division I, II, III, and NAIA divisions.
To be eligible for selection, student-athletes must have at least a 3.50 grade point average and be at least sophomores at their current institution. Position players must compete in 90 percent of games or start in at least two-thirds of games played by their team. Pitchers must make a minimum of 17 appearances or pitch at least 35 innings.
Jackson Hotchkiss and Colton Bower led the Huskies offensively this season. Both were named to All-Big Ten teams while ranking first and second on the team in nearly every offensive category. Hotchkiss hit 20 home runs during the season—becoming only the third player in program history to reach that mark—while Bower recorded a three-home run game against Indiana, marking just the second time this feat has occurred for Washington.
Sam DeCarlo started all but one game during the season, while Casen Taggart played first base in 43 games as consistent contributors for Washington. Tommy Brandenburg was one of Washington’s most reliable relief pitchers with a team-leading 25 appearances—including two starts—and earned this year’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
