The University at Albany baseball team excelled in the 2026 America East awards, with Dylan Banner earning the title of Pitcher of the Year. In total, the team secured seven prestigious honors, including First Team All-Conference selections for Banner and Matthew Mariano, and All-Rookie Team spots for Patrick DeSarno and Jaxon Mueller. This recognition marks a milestone for Banner, the first player in UAlbany history to be named Pitcher of the Year. Coach Jon Mueller praised the players for their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

By the Numbers
  • Dylan Banner recorded a 3.94 ERA over 80.0 innings, ranking second in the conference.
  • Matthew Mariano had a 3.41 ERA, leading all pitchers and achieving a 5-2 record.
State of Play
  • The Great Danes will enter the America East Baseball Championship as the No. 6 seed.
  • UAlbany faces No. 3 Maine in a single-elimination game starting at 5:00 p.m.
What's Next

As the postseason begins, the Great Danes aim to build on their individual successes and make a strong run in the championship. Performance in these games will be critical for the team's morale and future recruitment efforts.

Bottom Line

The recognition from the America East conference highlights the potential of UAlbany baseball as they transition to postseason play. The achievements of individual players like Dylan Banner set the groundwork for a promising future for the program.