IRVING, Texas — BYU relief pitcher Stone Cushing was named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Baseball Team, the conference announced on Thursday.
Cushing was one of three relievers named to the Preseason Team along with Dominic Castellano of UCF and TCU’s Ben Abeldt.
After beginning his collegiate pitching career at College of Southern Idaho, Cushing arrived at BYU in 2024 and quickly cemented himself as the program’s go-to closer. As a junior in 2024, the Salem, Utah native recorded 10 saves with an ERA of 3.93 and 46 strikeouts while allowing a batting average of just .175 in 34.1 innings pitched.
With 10 saves on the season, Cushing finished the 2024 regular season as the Big 12’s leader in saves and games finished (25) along with a tie for first in appearances (29) and games in relief (29).
The 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 performer finished tied for ninth nationally in saves and was one of only 14 pitchers nationally to record double-digit regular season saves.
Cushing also finished the 2024 campaign tied for second all-time at BYU with Reid McLaughlin (2022) for single season saves and alone in fifth on the program’s career saves record board. A similar senior season would put Cushing on track to finish in the top two all-time at BYU in career saves.
As the 2025 college baseball season begins, Cushing enters tied for eighth nationally in active career saves. Tying Cushing with 10 career saves is Big 12 counterpart and fellow preseason honoree Abeldt of TCU. The veteran stoppers will go head-to-head for the first time as the Cougars and No. 23 preseason-ranked Horned Frogs meet in Fort Worth, Texas April 3-5.
Cushing and the Cougars open the 2025 season with a three-game series versus Fresno State Feb. 14-15 and 17 at Bob Bennett Stadium in Fresno, California. Fans can tune in to each game on BYU Radio. Streaming details are forthcoming.