The Atlantic 10 Conference announced its major award winners on Tuesday, honoring Saint Joseph's University's standout sophomore catcher Blake Primrose as Player of the Year and longtime head coach Fritz Hamburg with Coach of the Year for the third occasion in his career.
Primrose's dominance at the plate defined the Hawks' offensive surge throughout the season. He topped the conference in batting average, runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, on‑base percentage and OPS, while also establishing new program single‑season records for home runs, runs scored and runs batted in.
A Season Defined by Records
Beyond the statistical leaderboards, Primrose was selected among just 16 semifinalists for the prestigious Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, a testament to his defensive poise and overall impact behind the plate.
The accolades extended to several teammates, with Cole Fehrman earning All‑Conference First Team honors and pacing the squad in innings pitched and strikeouts, while Alex Kelsey also secured a First Team spot and appeared in every game for the Hawks.
Supporting Cast and Academic Excellence
Andrew Gaines contributed a league‑leading 15 saves, earning a place on the All‑Conference Second Team, and Matt Fitzgibbon was recognized on the All‑Academic Team after posting a team‑best 1.69 ERA in conference play.
Coach Hamburg's guidance culminated in a 35‑win season that tied the program record, and the Hawks secured the Atlantic 10 regular‑season title on May 3 for the second time in school history. The victory also marked the sixth straight year the team qualified for the Atlantic 10 Championship under Hamburg's stewardship.
Saint Joseph's University and the Atlantic 10 Conference both highlighted the significance of these achievements, emphasizing how the awards reflect the program's rising stature and the broader impact on collegiate baseball in the region.