Eight Rutgers baseball players received Big Ten postseason awards

On Tuesday morning, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards.

This week, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards. The Scarlet Knights finished the 2023 regular season with a 33-21 (14-10 Big Ten) record and the No. 5 seed in the 41st Big Ten Tournament. Also, the Scarlet Knights finished the season No. 61 in the country according to the NCAA Rate Index Percentage.

All-Big Ten (First Team)

  1. Outfielder –Ryan Lasko (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Ryan Lasko and starting pitcher Christian Coppola were the only Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten First Team honors.

Lasko, a junior outfielder from Jackson, New Jersey, is the first player in Rutgers’ history to be named All-Big Ten First Team multiple times. Lasko led the Scarlet Knights in batting average (.332) this past season and recorded 32 extra-base hits, 73 hits, 58 runs scored, 11 home runs, and 52 RBIs.

Christian Coppola, a pitcher from Galloway, New Jersey, is the first true freshman in Rutgers history to be named All-Big Ten First Team. Coppola finished the season ranked second among all Big Ten starters with a 3.60 ERA. Also, he finished the season with a 5-5 record, logging 68 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 57 hits. Coppola also received Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

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All-Big Ten (Second Team)

  1. Third baseman – Chris Brito (SR)

Rutgers senior third baseman is the only Scarlet Knight to receive All-Big Ten Second Team honors. The New Jersey native from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is the team leader in RBIs (55), home runs (14), and OPS (1.029) entering the Big Ten Tournament.

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All-Big Ten (Third Team)

  1. Outfielder – Evan Sleight (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Drew Conover (JR)
  3. Relief Pitcher – Ben Gorski (JR)

Rutgers outfielder Evan Sleight and pitchers Drew Conover and Ben Gorski were the three Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten Third Team honors.

Sleight, the Massachusetts native from Framingham, Massachusetts, received his first-ever all-conference honors. He finished the regular season with career highs in home runs (12), doubles (13), runs scored (51), and walks (32).

Conover, a junior pitcher from Pittstown, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team honors in his first season with Rutgers. He finished the season with a 5-4 record, logging a 4.50 ERA, 64 innings pitched, and 79 strikeouts. Also, he recorded six quality starts and struck out seven or more batters in six outings.

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Rutgers closer Ben Gorski from Chatham, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team after a solid season out of the bullpen for the Scarlet Knights. He finished the season with eight saves, a 2.77 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched.

All-Big Ten (Freshman Team)

  1. Outfielder – Trevor Cohen (FR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Trevor Cohen finished his first college season with All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors. The New Jersey native from Brigantine, New Jersey, started all 54 games, recording 61 hits, 33 RBIs, 25 walks, 22 strikeouts, and a .288 batting average. Cohen joins Coppola on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

  1. Catcher – Andy Axelson (SR)

Rutgers senior catcher Andy Axelson is the last Scarlet Knight to receive postseason honors. The New Jersey native from Roxbury, New Jersey, finished the regular season with a career-best batting average (.315), five home runs, and 25 RBIs.

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