University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Roch Cholowsky
Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
No. 1 UCLA Claims Player, Coach of the Year and League-High Nine All-Big Ten Selections
May 19, 2026 | Baseball
ROSEMONT, Ill. โ No. 1-ranked UCLA highlighted its historic regular season 2026 campaign on Tuesday by earning a conference-best collection of nine Big Ten All-Conference honorees. The Bruins claimed Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and placed student-athletes on every all-conference team, including a league-high nine total selections across the First, Second, and Third Teams.
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Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky was named Big Ten Player of the Year, becomingย the third player in Big Ten history to earn the player of the year award in consecutive seasons, joining Minnesota's Luke Appert (2002-03) and Michigan's Barry Larkin (1984-85). He also becomes the first UCLA player to win multiple Player of the Year awards in his collegiate career. Cholowsky led the conference with 21 home runs, anchored UCLA's infield defense, and powered one of the nation's most complete lineups. The junior also earned All-Big Ten First Team honors at shortstop. Cholowsky delivered one of the most dominant two-way seasons in the country, hitting .330 with 21 home runs, 59 RBI, and a conference-high 70 runs scored while starting all 54 games at shortstop. He finished sixth in the conference for slugging (.684), fifth in OPS (1.149), and led the league in hit-by-pitches (23), powering a .465 on-base percentage.
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Head coach John Savage was unanimously selected Big Ten Coach of the Year, the third conference coach-of-the-year award of his career (also 2013 & 2019 Pac-12). Savage guided UCLA to one of the most dominant regular seasons in modern college baseball history, including the first wire-to-wire No. 1 ranking ever recorded for a full regular season, a program-record 48 regular season wins, the longest conference winning streak in Big Ten history, and the distinction of being the only team since 2017 Oregon State to win every regular-season weekend.
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Logan Reddemann was UCLA's ace throughout the regular season, going 8-0 with a 2.87 ERA across 10 starts to earn First Team All-Conference honors. He struck out 84 batters in 59.2 innings, holding opponents to a .212 average and allowing more than two earned runs only twice all year. His consistency at the front of the rotation helped UCLA win every weekend series and secure the nation's No. 1 ranking wire-to-wire.
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Easton Hawk also received First Team honors after emerging as one of the most dominant closers in college baseball, posting a 1.62 ERA, 14 saves, and 40 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. Opponents hit just .172 against him, and he allowed only six earned runs all season. His late-inning reliability was central to UCLA's 48-6 record and included a streak of 22 consecutive outings without an earned run.
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Wylan Moss excelled in both long-relief and high-leverage roles, finishing 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA over 56.2 innings to land himself on the first team. He struck out 71, walked just 20, and held opponents to a .194 average. His ability to neutralize the middle of opposing lineups made him one of the most valuable multi-inning relievers in the Big Ten.
ย
Mulivai Levu, another First Team selection, put together a breakout season at the plate, hitting .339 with 16 home runs (including 11 in Big Ten play), 57 RBI, and a team-best .619 slugging percentage. He ranked among the conference leaders in extra-base hits (28) and total bases (135). Defensively, he was elite, committing just one errors in 409 chances for a .998 fielding percentage, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team.
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Will Gasparino garnered First Team recognition after delivering a complete season on both sides of the ball, hitting .305 with 19 home runs, 61 RBI, and a .645 slugging percentage. He also posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 114 putouts, showcasing elite range and arm strength in the outfield. His combination of power and defense made him one of the most feared outfielders in the Big Ten.
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Roman Martin was UCLA's most consistent hitter wire-to-wire, batting .340 with 72 hits, 50 RBI, and a team-high 40 walks to land himself on the First Team. He ranked first on the team in batting average and on-base percentage (.458), and his 113 total bases were among the league's best.
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Cashel Dugger was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree who hit .279 with 38 RBI, 31 walks, and a .413 OBP while catching 46 games for one of the nation's top pitching staffs. Behind the plate, he posted a .992 fielding percentage, threw out eight runners, and handled 453 putouts. His leadership, defensive excellence, and clutch hitting, including the game-winning ninth-inning double at Washington, earned him All-Defensive honors and UCLA's Sportsmanship Award.
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Cal Randall was named to the Third Team after proving to be a stabilizing force in the bullpen, going 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA across a team-high 30 appearances. He struck out 49 in 27.0 innings, held opponents to a .132 batting average, and allowed just 12 hits all season. His ability to bridge the middle innings made him one of the most effective relievers in the conference.
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Dean West was one of the premier defensive outfielders in the Big Ten, finishing with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and 83 putouts in center field to be named to the conference's All-Defensive Team. Offensively, he hit .280 with 59 hits, 37 RBI, and 10 stolen bases, providing steady production in all phases of the game.
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Zach Strickland made an immediate impact as a freshman, going 6-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 23 appearances. He struck out 46 in 34 innings, held opponents to a .206 average, and allowed only 11 earned runs all season. His poise and swing-and-miss stuff earned him a well-deserved spot on the All-Freshman Team.
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The Bruins earned the No. 1-seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will await their opponent in the quarterfinal matchup on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. PT. The game will be nationally broadcast on Big Ten Network, and radio coverage will be available on the UCLA Bruins Audio Network, with Nick Koop and Sid Iyer on the call.
2026 BIG TEN BASEBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
ย
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Roch Cholowsky, Jr., SS, UCLA
ย
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Mason Edwards, Jr., SP, USC
ย
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dylan Carey, Sr., SS, Nebraska
ย
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Drew Grego, Fr., OF, Nebraska
ย
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Savage, UCLA +
ย
ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAMย
SP โ Carson Jasa, R-So., Nebraska
SP โ Logan Reddemann, Jr., UCLA
SP โ Mason Edwards, Jr., USC +
SP โ Grant Govel, So., USC
RP โ Tanner Bradley, So., Oregon
RP โ Easton Hawk, So., UCLA
RP โ Wylan Moss, So., UCLA
C โ Weber Neels, Sr., Minnesota
1B โ Mulivai Levu, Jr., UCLA
2B โ Colby Turner, Jr., Michigan
SS โ Roch Cholowsky, Jr., UCLA
3B โ Drew Smith, Sr., Oregon
OF โ Hogan Denny, So., Indiana
OF โ Will Gasparino, Jr., UCLA
OF โ Jackson Hotchkiss, So., Washington
UTL โ Michael Anderson, Sr., Penn State
At-Large โ Dylan Carey, Sr., Nebraska (SS)
At-Large โ Roman Martin, Jr., UCLA (3B)
ย
ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAMย
SP โย Aidan Flinn, Fr., Illinois
SP โ Aidan Donovan, So., Michigan State
SP โ Isaac Morton, Jr., Minnesota
SP โ Will Sanford, So., Oregon
RP โ J'Shawn Unger, So., Nebraska
RP โ Devin Bell, Sr., Oregon
RP โ Adam Troy, R-Jr., USC
C โ Colton Bower, R-Jr., Washington
1B โ Case Sanderson, Jr., Nebraska
2B โ Gable Mitchell, Sr., Iowa
SS โ Henry Kaczmar, Sr., Ohio State
3B โ Sam Flores, Sr., Purdue
OF โ Drew Grego, Fr., Nebraska
OF โ Mac Moyer, Jr., Nebraska
OF โ Jack Basseer, Sr., USC
UTL โ Dane Harvey, R-So., Ohio State
At-Large โ Jake Hanley, So., Indiana (1B)
At-Large โ Ryan Cooney, Jr., Oregon (2B)
At-Large โ Cashel Dugger, Jr., UCLA (C)
ย
ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAMย
SP โ Tony Neubeck, Gr., Indiana
SP โ Kurt Barr, Sr., Michigan
SP โ Noah Kenney, Jr., Washington
RP โ Cal Randall, Jr., UCLA
C โ Mason Eckelman, Jr., Ohio State
1B โ Caleb Wulf, Sr., Iowa
2B โ Dylan Drake, Jr., Purdue
SS โ Ryan Kucherak, Jr., Northwestern
3B โ Brayden Martin, Jr., Maryland
OF โ Charlie Sutherland, Jr., Minnesota
OF โ Jack Lausch, Sr., Northwestern
OF โ Avery Moore, Sr., Purdue
UTL โ Naulivou Lauaki Jr., R-Fr., Oregon
(no At-Large due to second team tie)
ย
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
P โ Grant Govel, So., USC
C โ Cashel Dugger, Jr., UCLA
1B โ Mulivai Levu, Jr., UCLA
2B โ Gable Mitchell, Sr., Iowa
SS โ Dylan Carey, Sr., Nebraska
3B โ Drew Smith, Sr., Oregon
OF โ Mac Moyer, Jr., Nebraska
OF โ Will Gasparino, Jr., UCLA
OF โ Dean West, Jr., UCLA
ย
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Aidan Flinn, Fr., SP, Illinois
AJ Putty, Fr., 1B, Illinois
Kyle Alivo, R-Fr., UTL, Iowa
Bud Coombs, Fr., OF, Maryland
Ryan Costello, R-Fr., 1B, Maryland
Ty Kaunas, Fr., SS, Maryland
Shane Brinham, Fr., SP, Michigan
Drew Grego, Fr., OF, Nebraska
Jeter Worthley, Fr., C, Nebraska
Brayden Jaksa, Fr., 1B, Oregon
Naulivou Lauaki Jr., R-Fr., UTL, Oregon
Angel Laya, Fr., OF, Oregon
Zach Strickland, Fr., RP, UCLA
Diego Velazquez, Fr., RP, USC
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SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
ย
ย
Junior shortstop Roch Cholowsky was named Big Ten Player of the Year, becomingย the third player in Big Ten history to earn the player of the year award in consecutive seasons, joining Minnesota's Luke Appert (2002-03) and Michigan's Barry Larkin (1984-85). He also becomes the first UCLA player to win multiple Player of the Year awards in his collegiate career. Cholowsky led the conference with 21 home runs, anchored UCLA's infield defense, and powered one of the nation's most complete lineups. The junior also earned All-Big Ten First Team honors at shortstop. Cholowsky delivered one of the most dominant two-way seasons in the country, hitting .330 with 21 home runs, 59 RBI, and a conference-high 70 runs scored while starting all 54 games at shortstop. He finished sixth in the conference for slugging (.684), fifth in OPS (1.149), and led the league in hit-by-pitches (23), powering a .465 on-base percentage.
ย
Head coach John Savage was unanimously selected Big Ten Coach of the Year, the third conference coach-of-the-year award of his career (also 2013 & 2019 Pac-12). Savage guided UCLA to one of the most dominant regular seasons in modern college baseball history, including the first wire-to-wire No. 1 ranking ever recorded for a full regular season, a program-record 48 regular season wins, the longest conference winning streak in Big Ten history, and the distinction of being the only team since 2017 Oregon State to win every regular-season weekend.
ย
Logan Reddemann was UCLA's ace throughout the regular season, going 8-0 with a 2.87 ERA across 10 starts to earn First Team All-Conference honors. He struck out 84 batters in 59.2 innings, holding opponents to a .212 average and allowing more than two earned runs only twice all year. His consistency at the front of the rotation helped UCLA win every weekend series and secure the nation's No. 1 ranking wire-to-wire.
ย
Easton Hawk also received First Team honors after emerging as one of the most dominant closers in college baseball, posting a 1.62 ERA, 14 saves, and 40 strikeouts in 33.1 innings. Opponents hit just .172 against him, and he allowed only six earned runs all season. His late-inning reliability was central to UCLA's 48-6 record and included a streak of 22 consecutive outings without an earned run.
ย
Wylan Moss excelled in both long-relief and high-leverage roles, finishing 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA over 56.2 innings to land himself on the first team. He struck out 71, walked just 20, and held opponents to a .194 average. His ability to neutralize the middle of opposing lineups made him one of the most valuable multi-inning relievers in the Big Ten.
ย
Mulivai Levu, another First Team selection, put together a breakout season at the plate, hitting .339 with 16 home runs (including 11 in Big Ten play), 57 RBI, and a team-best .619 slugging percentage. He ranked among the conference leaders in extra-base hits (28) and total bases (135). Defensively, he was elite, committing just one errors in 409 chances for a .998 fielding percentage, earning a spot on the All-Defensive Team.
ย
Will Gasparino garnered First Team recognition after delivering a complete season on both sides of the ball, hitting .305 with 19 home runs, 61 RBI, and a .645 slugging percentage. He also posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage with 114 putouts, showcasing elite range and arm strength in the outfield. His combination of power and defense made him one of the most feared outfielders in the Big Ten.
ย
Roman Martin was UCLA's most consistent hitter wire-to-wire, batting .340 with 72 hits, 50 RBI, and a team-high 40 walks to land himself on the First Team. He ranked first on the team in batting average and on-base percentage (.458), and his 113 total bases were among the league's best.
ย
Cashel Dugger was a Second Team All-Big Ten honoree who hit .279 with 38 RBI, 31 walks, and a .413 OBP while catching 46 games for one of the nation's top pitching staffs. Behind the plate, he posted a .992 fielding percentage, threw out eight runners, and handled 453 putouts. His leadership, defensive excellence, and clutch hitting, including the game-winning ninth-inning double at Washington, earned him All-Defensive honors and UCLA's Sportsmanship Award.
ย
Cal Randall was named to the Third Team after proving to be a stabilizing force in the bullpen, going 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA across a team-high 30 appearances. He struck out 49 in 27.0 innings, held opponents to a .132 batting average, and allowed just 12 hits all season. His ability to bridge the middle innings made him one of the most effective relievers in the conference.
ย
Dean West was one of the premier defensive outfielders in the Big Ten, finishing with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage and 83 putouts in center field to be named to the conference's All-Defensive Team. Offensively, he hit .280 with 59 hits, 37 RBI, and 10 stolen bases, providing steady production in all phases of the game.
ย
Zach Strickland made an immediate impact as a freshman, going 6-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 23 appearances. He struck out 46 in 34 innings, held opponents to a .206 average, and allowed only 11 earned runs all season. His poise and swing-and-miss stuff earned him a well-deserved spot on the All-Freshman Team.
ย
The Bruins earned the No. 1-seed in the Big Ten Tournament and will await their opponent in the quarterfinal matchup on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m. PT. The game will be nationally broadcast on Big Ten Network, and radio coverage will be available on the UCLA Bruins Audio Network, with Nick Koop and Sid Iyer on the call.
2026 BIG TEN BASEBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
ย
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Roch Cholowsky, Jr., SS, UCLA
ย
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Mason Edwards, Jr., SP, USC
ย
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dylan Carey, Sr., SS, Nebraska
ย
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Drew Grego, Fr., OF, Nebraska
ย
COACH OF THE YEAR
John Savage, UCLA +
ย
ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAMย
SP โ Carson Jasa, R-So., Nebraska
SP โ Logan Reddemann, Jr., UCLA
SP โ Mason Edwards, Jr., USC +
SP โ Grant Govel, So., USC
RP โ Tanner Bradley, So., Oregon
RP โ Easton Hawk, So., UCLA
RP โ Wylan Moss, So., UCLA
C โ Weber Neels, Sr., Minnesota
1B โ Mulivai Levu, Jr., UCLA
2B โ Colby Turner, Jr., Michigan
SS โ Roch Cholowsky, Jr., UCLA
3B โ Drew Smith, Sr., Oregon
OF โ Hogan Denny, So., Indiana
OF โ Will Gasparino, Jr., UCLA
OF โ Jackson Hotchkiss, So., Washington
UTL โ Michael Anderson, Sr., Penn State
At-Large โ Dylan Carey, Sr., Nebraska (SS)
At-Large โ Roman Martin, Jr., UCLA (3B)
ย
ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAMย
SP โย Aidan Flinn, Fr., Illinois
SP โ Aidan Donovan, So., Michigan State
SP โ Isaac Morton, Jr., Minnesota
SP โ Will Sanford, So., Oregon
RP โ J'Shawn Unger, So., Nebraska
RP โ Devin Bell, Sr., Oregon
RP โ Adam Troy, R-Jr., USC
C โ Colton Bower, R-Jr., Washington
1B โ Case Sanderson, Jr., Nebraska
2B โ Gable Mitchell, Sr., Iowa
SS โ Henry Kaczmar, Sr., Ohio State
3B โ Sam Flores, Sr., Purdue
OF โ Drew Grego, Fr., Nebraska
OF โ Mac Moyer, Jr., Nebraska
OF โ Jack Basseer, Sr., USC
UTL โ Dane Harvey, R-So., Ohio State
At-Large โ Jake Hanley, So., Indiana (1B)
At-Large โ Ryan Cooney, Jr., Oregon (2B)
At-Large โ Cashel Dugger, Jr., UCLA (C)
ย
ALL-BIG TEN THIRD TEAMย
SP โ Tony Neubeck, Gr., Indiana
SP โ Kurt Barr, Sr., Michigan
SP โ Noah Kenney, Jr., Washington
RP โ Cal Randall, Jr., UCLA
C โ Mason Eckelman, Jr., Ohio State
1B โ Caleb Wulf, Sr., Iowa
2B โ Dylan Drake, Jr., Purdue
SS โ Ryan Kucherak, Jr., Northwestern
3B โ Brayden Martin, Jr., Maryland
OF โ Charlie Sutherland, Jr., Minnesota
OF โ Jack Lausch, Sr., Northwestern
OF โ Avery Moore, Sr., Purdue
UTL โ Naulivou Lauaki Jr., R-Fr., Oregon
(no At-Large due to second team tie)
ย
ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM
P โ Grant Govel, So., USC
C โ Cashel Dugger, Jr., UCLA
1B โ Mulivai Levu, Jr., UCLA
2B โ Gable Mitchell, Sr., Iowa
SS โ Dylan Carey, Sr., Nebraska
3B โ Drew Smith, Sr., Oregon
OF โ Mac Moyer, Jr., Nebraska
OF โ Will Gasparino, Jr., UCLA
OF โ Dean West, Jr., UCLA
ย
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Aidan Flinn, Fr., SP, Illinois
AJ Putty, Fr., 1B, Illinois
Kyle Alivo, R-Fr., UTL, Iowa
Bud Coombs, Fr., OF, Maryland
Ryan Costello, R-Fr., 1B, Maryland
Ty Kaunas, Fr., SS, Maryland
Shane Brinham, Fr., SP, Michigan
Drew Grego, Fr., OF, Nebraska
Jeter Worthley, Fr., C, Nebraska
Brayden Jaksa, Fr., 1B, Oregon
Naulivou Lauaki Jr., R-Fr., UTL, Oregon
Angel Laya, Fr., OF, Oregon
Zach Strickland, Fr., RP, UCLA
Diego Velazquez, Fr., RP, USC
ย
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Will Johannes, Sr., C, Illinois
Tony Neubeck, Gr., SP, Indiana
Kellen Strohmeyer, R-Jr., OF, Iowa
Aden Hill, Sr., OF, Maryland
Joonsung Park, Jr., UTL, Michigan
Randy Seymour, Sr., 1B, Michigan State
Charlie Sutherland, Jr., OF, Minnesota
Caleb Clark, Sr., RP, Nebraska
Jack Lausch, Sr., OF, Northwestern
Noah Furcht, Gr., OF, Ohio State
Jack Brooks, Jr., OF, Oregon
Ben DeMell, R-Sr., RP, Penn State
Aaron Manias, R-Sr., UTL, Purdueย ย ย ย
Matt Chatelle, Sr., C, Rutgers
Cashel Dugger, Jr., C, UCLAย ย ย ย
Andrew Lamb, Jr., OF, USCย ย ย ย ย
Tommy Brandenburg, R-Sr., RP, Washingtonย ย ย ย
+ unanimous selectionsย
Players Mentioned
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