The Liberty League has announced its 2025 Baseball Major Awards and All-League teams following a vote by the conference's 11 head coaches prior to the conference tournament.
CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Colby Cruser, Senior, Relief Pitcher / Designated Hitter, University of Rochester
University of Rochester senior Colby Cruser was named the Liberty League Co-Player of the Year. It is the first time since 2021, a Yellowjacket has been recognized with the award. Cruser was a standout for Rochester as a designated hitter and relief pitcher. He appeared in 29 games as the Yellowjackets’ DH and made 23 starts. He finished the year with a .385 batting average to go along with 19 runs, 19 runs batted in and a pair of stolen bases. Cruser also tallied 12 extra-base hits, including nine doubles and three home runs. He posted a .387 slugging percentage and a .366 on-base percentage. Among league leaders, he was sixth in batting average. As a reliever, he appeared in 10 games, where he went 2-0 and recorded two saves. Cruser compiled a 2.70 earned run average in 20 innings. He struck out 27 on the year, allowed just six runs, and held opposing hitters to a .171 average
CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ayush Krishnappa, Senior, Designated Hitter/Infielder, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute senior Ayush Krishnappa was selected as the Liberty League Co-Player of the Year. It is the first time since 2009, a player from RPI garnered the accolade. Krishnappa had a strong season at the plate for the Engineers, boasting a .422 batting average with 57 hits in 135 at-bats. He scored 35 runs and drove in a team-high 54. He totaled 11 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs, including three grand slams. Krishnappa topped the conference in runs batted in while also ranking second in slugging percentage (.689) and hits. He was third in batting average and tied for fourth in home runs. Krishnappa recorded two or more hits in 18 games this season. He is in the midst of a 28-game hitting streak as the Engineers won their first conference title since 2015 and are headed to the 2025 NCAA Division III Championship.
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Jack Picozzi, Sophomore, Ithaca College
For the first time since 2022, an Ithaca College baseball player was tabbed Liberty League Pitcher of the Year with sophomore Jack Picozzi earning the nod. Picozzi closed out the 2025 campaign with 59.0 innings pitched and a 3-2 record in 11 starts. He tossed two complete games, struck out 65, held batters to a .262 average, and posted a 3.81 earned run average. Picozzi led the conference with 25 strikeouts looking and was fourth in total strikeouts. He was also ranked among the top 10 in innings pitched (7th), opposing batting average (8th), and earned run average (9th). In league play, he made six starts (1-0) and allowed only eight earned runs across 35.1 innings. He had the best earned run average of 2.04 among conference pitchers. He was also third in strikeouts with 39, eighth in innings pitched, and eighth in opposing batting average (.243).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ian Oehlschlaeger, Outfielder, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute first-year outfielder Ian Oehlschlaeger was recognized with Liberty League Rookie of the Year honors. Oehlschlaeger is the first baseball player from RPI to be named Rookie of the Year since 2019. He had a breakout rookie campaign with the Engineers playing in 41 of 43 games this season. He topped the team and league in batting average (.429) and slugging percentage (.714) while ranking second in on-base percentage at .538. Oehlschlaeger produced 66 hits in 154 at-bats, including 11 doubles, three triples and nine home runs. He scored 53 runs and drove in 52. He recorded two or more hits in 21 games and had nine games with three hits. He was the league leader in hits and was second in runs and runs batted in. He was also among the conference’s top 10 in home runs (3rd), triples (T-4th), at bats (T-5th), walks (T-8th, 26), stolen bases (7th, 19), and doubles (9th). Oehlschlaeger was nearly perfect in stolen bases, stealing 19 in 20 attempts and he registered a .985 fielding percentage.
COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR: Skidmore College – Head Coach Ron Plourde; Pitching Coach Matt Karpousis, Assistant Coaches J.T. Tellstone and John Barnes
Skidmore College head coach Ron Plourde and his staff were named the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year. They directed the Thoroughbreds to a 21-17-2 overall record, a 12-6 conference record, and a 9-3 mark against divisional opponents. The Thoroughbreds were East Division Champions for the third time in four years, and they were the second seed in the four-team double-elimination tournament. As a team, Skidmore led the league in batting average (.324), slugging percentage (.474) and were third in on base percentage (.428).