DANBURY, CT— Redshirt freshman Sean Stephenson of the Iona University baseball team was recognized as the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rookie of the Year on Wednesday morning as the organization announced its 2025 Division I Baseball All-ECAC teams and major awards.

The Mansfield, MA native had a historic first season Iona, becoming the first Gael to earn Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and ECAC Rookie of the Year. The three-time MAAC Rookie of the Week during the 2025 season also garnered MAAC All-Rookie Team honors.

Stephenson started 49 games for the Gaels as the primary third baseman. He slashed .341 /.410 /.517 at the dish, ranking second on the team in batting average and slugging percentage. Stephenson is just the eighth Gael to eclipse 70 hits in a single season and his 15 doubles, seven home runs and 39 runs batted in also ranked second on the team. He led the Maroon & Gold with 22 multi-hit games and ranked second with nine multi-RBI games this season.

ABOUT THE ECAC

The ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) is an eighty-two-year-old organization with well over 200 member schools across all three NCAA Divisions - I, II and III. The ECAC exists to enhance the experience of student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics and provides great value for universities and colleges by sponsoring championships, leagues, bowl games, tournaments and other competitions throughout the Northeast. The ECAC's esports platform is growing and now totals more than sixty colleges and universities and is expanding the geographic footprint for the conference nationally. The ECAC is also sponsoring competitions and leagues involving other varsity and club sports that do not fall under the umbrella of the NCAA.