Baseball History is Made-Times Two!
Though their 2025 season didn't quite yield the results the Williamson baseball team had hoped for, that didn't stop the nation from recognizing some truly outstanding record setting performances by several players. Shortstop Cody Grande was named a United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-American for the third straight year, becoming the first Williamson baseball player in school history to earn All-American honors three times. In addition, Joshua Illing and Patrick Jones were also named to the USCAA All-American team, giving Williamson three baseball All-Americans in the same season for the first time in school history.
Grande had already solidified his stature as one of the all-time greats in Williamson history through his All-American efforts his first two seasons. He was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2023 and followed that up with Second team All-American honors in 2024. Based off another incredible season in 2025, he once again earned Second team All American honors.
His 2025 numbers were once again staggering, as he batted.459, good for 6th in the nation, had an on-base percentage of .506 and a slugging percentage of .743, also good enough for sixth in the nation. He had 14 extra base hits, including three home runs, and led the team in RBI with 26.
For his career, Grande had a .436 batting average and a slugging percentage of .720. He had 79 RBIs, 11 home runs and 38 extra base hits.
"I remember when Cody arrived on campus. He was dealing with the tragic death of his brother and missed baseball tryouts. Because of that, he was just going to play tennis," shared Williamson's Director of Athletics Dale Plummer.
"Coach (Doug) Thompson got wind of that and made an exception to allow him to try out for the baseball team at a later date. After one practice, Coach pulled me aside and said unequivocally that Cody would be our next All-American! He said he was that good!"
Tennis's loss was baseball's gain, as he leaves as the most decorated player in school history. One would be hard pressed not to think of him as the finest player in school history as well.
"Cody is a once in a generation type player. You don't see talent like that very often. He has been a real blessing to the program and the school overall," shared Plummer.
Illing was an All-American last year and backed that up once again this year with an even finer season. An Honorable Mention All American in 2024, he was named Second team All-American this year, and with good reason. He batted .411 for the year, with an on base percentage of .521. His slugging percentage was a through the roof .753, good for sixth in the nation! He led the team in home runs with four and was second on the team in RBI with 14.
What season it was for Jones, who missed last season due to an injury. He finished twelfth in the nation in batting, hitting for a .437 clip and had a slugging percentage of .634. Where he also made his mark was in stolen bases, where he finished eight in the nation with 24 steals, being caught just twice.
While Williamson had two All-Americans in 2024, the three All-Americans this season is the most ever in one season.
Williamson finished the year 14-10 overall and in third place in the Eastern States Athletic Conference after finishing second in the conference in 2024.
