DALLAS — BYU relief pitcher Stone Cushing has been named to the 2025 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-America First Team. In addition, the senior right-hander from Salem, Utah was also named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year award preseason watch list for the 2025 season.
Cushing was joined on the NCBWA Preseason First Team by three other Big 12 student-athletes, including outfielder Nolan Schubart (Oklahoma State), designated hitter Brandon Compton (Arizona State) and relief pitcher Ben Abeldt (TCU). Cushing was previously named to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Baseball Team in January.
It’s the second time in three years that BYU has posted a pitcher on an NCBWA preseason team. Right-hander Reid McLaughlin was named an NCBWA Preseason Second Team All-American in 2023.
After beginning his collegiate career at College of Southern Idaho, Cushing came to BYU in 2024 and quickly became the Cougars go-to closer. As a junior in 2024 he recorded 10 saves with an ERA of 3.93 and 46 strikeouts while allowing a batting average of just .175 in 34.1 innings.
He finished the 2024 regular season as the Big 12 leader in saves (10) and games finished (25) and was tied for first in appearances (29) and games in relief (29). Cushing was named Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and finished 2024 tied for ninth nationally in saves as 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 is currently fifth all-time in career saves. A similar senior season would put Cushing on track to finish in the top two all-time at BYU in career saves.
Entering the 2025 season, Cushing is tied for eighth nationally in active career saves. Fellow Big 12 preseason honoree Abeldt of TCU also has 10 career saves. 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.
The NCBWA Stopper of the Year award is presented annually to the top relief pitcher in NCAA Division I baseball. Joining Cushing on the Stopper of the Year preseason watch list from the Big 12 is Abeldt (TCU), Casey Hintz and Tony Pluta (Arizona), Dalton Smith (Kansas), Kris Sosnowski (UCF) and Gavin Van Kempen (West Virginia).
BYU opens 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 the four-game series on BYU Radio with Dave McCann on the call.