Colaco selected for Golden Spikes list

Granville, Ohio- Senior outfielder Eric Collaco was recently recognized by USA Baseball for the Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list.

USA Baseball shortlists 55 players from all three NCAA divisions and high schoolers from across the country for this prestigious award, which aims to identify the best amateur baseball player in the nation for the 2025 season. A Division III player has never won the award. The last player from a non-NCAA Division I school was two-time MLB MVP Bryce Harper (Las Vegas High School). Colaco is the only player on the watch list in Division III and one of five players outside Division I.

Colaco has been a catalyst for the team's success over four years with the program, already etching his name in the record books with six single-season batting records. He shares the record for the longest career hitting streak (28 games) with Will Krushena and holds the top spot in career doubles (60), RBIs (164), stolen bases (112), at-bats (594), and runs scored (209). Colaco is on the verge of further cementing his legacy, needing just 24 more hits to surpass Adam Mandel's career hits record, one triple to tie Tanner Johnson's career mark, and nine home runs to break Rian McAuliffe's record.

Colaco will look to add this coveted award to his already filled-out resume. Most recently, he was recognized as the 2024 D3baseball.com Player of the Year, helping Denison earn multiple program-bests, including a 42-8 record and Super Regional appearance. Their 50 games played in 2024 was another program-best for the Big Red; they look to replicate that with the help of Colaco and the rest of the senior class, who replace six seniors from the class of 24.

With what is gearing up to be another competitive season, Denison will look to additional bats and pitching on the roster to step up. Junior starting pitcher Will Rettig was recognized on the D3baseball.com 2025 Preseason All-American third team. First-year catcher Jack Lutte ended the year with a .407 AVG, junior infielder Cade Nowik finished the year with 48 RBIs, and relief pitcher Ryan Starr ended the year with a 1.44 ERA on 24 appearances. Denison will enter the season ranked #5 in the country (D3baseball.com).

The Big Red will take a multi-city road trip, beginning in Greensboro, NC, for the D3 College Showcase, where they will play three top-20 teams. Their home opener will take place on March 12th versus Heidelberg University. The following weekend, Denison will host the Granville Tournament, a four-team competition welcoming Adrian College, North Central College, and Baldwin Wallace University.