ORLANDO – A total of five UCF baseball student-athletes were named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Baseball Team on Tuesday as announced by the organization.
Senior Dominic Castellano, juniors Braden Calise, DeAmez Ross and Grant Siegel, and sophomore Chase Krewson all received the prestigious recognition for the 2024-25 academic year. This marks the third time of Castellano’s career that he has earned the esteemed recognition, and the first for Calise, Krewson, Ross and Siegel.
The 2025 Academic All-District Baseball Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the diamond and in the classroom. To be eligible, one must hold a 3.50 cumulative GPA or better, as well as be a key contributor on the field.
Senior left-handed pitcher Castellano was tabbed Academic All-District for the third time after being one of the Knights’ top relief pitchers on the season. After earning Preseason All-Big 12 accolades prior to the season, the Tampa, Florida native went on to lead the team in appearances (23) and strikeouts (60), as well as tie for the team lead in both victories (6-1) and saves (2). The 2025 team captain also limited opposing hitters to just a .210 batting average and recorded 11 scoreless outings on the year.
Castellano finished his stellar career with a 14-2 win-loss record and ranked sixth in the program’s record books in relief appearances with 76 and eighth in total appearances with 78. He also previously earned both ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region Second Team and Big 12 Conference Honorable Mention accolades in 2024.
Redshirt junior infielder Calise earned Academic All-District for the first time after slashing .301/.333/.406 on the season. The native of Fort Pierce, Florida played in 50 games with 49 starts in the infield (26 at 3B, 22 at 2B and 1 at 1B). He posted 15 multiple-hit games and seven multi-RBI outings. He also recorded a 14-game reached base safely streak and a six-game hitting streak. A 2025 team captain, Calise recorded six doubles, 34 runs scored, 29 runs batted in and seven stolen bases. He also posted a solid .980 fielding percentage 42 putouts, 106 assists and just three errors.
Junior outfielder Ross also received Academic All-District accolades for the first time after being one of the top hitters in the Big 12 Conference with a team-leading .359 batting average and a conference-leading 84 hits. He also led the team in stolen bases with 14 and finished second on the team in doubles (15) and third in runs scored (53). The Melbourne, Florida native also tallied 19 extra-base hits, a .466 slugging percentage and a .429 on-base clip. Ross posted 24 multiple-hit games and eight multi-RBI contests. He also led the team with an 18-game hitting streak on the season and tallied a 22-game reached base safely streak. Ross played and started all 55 games in center field and as the team’s leadoff hitter.
Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Siegel too earned Academic All-District honors for the first time after posting a strong season as one of the Black and Gold’s starting pitchers in 2025. After redshirting his first year in Orlando in 2024, the native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida had strong numbers for UCF from the mound in 2025 as he went 5-2 with a 3.88 ERA over 12 starts and 13 total appearances. He also struck out 44 batters over 53.1 innings. His 12 starts and 53.1 innings led the team. Sigel tied a career-high by going 7.0 innings twice on the season and recorded a complete-game victory at Florida Atlantic on April 22 as he went the full seven innings in a run-rule contest. He also allowed just one hit while striking out five over five shutout innings in a win at Stetson on March 18.
Sophomore outfielder Krewson was also named Academic All-District for the first time after slashing .279/.395/.329 in his first season in Orlando. The Bridgeville, Pennsylvania native recorded five extra-base hits with 24 walks, 27 runs scored and 14 runs batted in. He also stole three bases while playing 45 games with 40 starts (33 in LF and 7 at DH). Krewson reached base safely in 15 straight games and posted a nine-game hitting streak. He was just one of two players on the season to have a five-hit game, as he went a perfect 5-for-5 with three RBIs in a win at Kansas State on April 11. He finished with eight multi-hit games.
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced July 1, 2025.
To view the full 2025 Academic All-District Baseball Team, click HERE.
