ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Featuring a pair of returning all-league selections and the program's all-time saves leader, three members of the Navy baseball team were named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team, the league office announced Thursday.
 
Senior reliever Landon Kruer, junior starting pitcher Tyler Grenn and junior second baseman Brock Murtha were among the 12 players to earn a spot on the preseason all-league team, while the Midshipmen were picked to finish second in the league's preseason poll. This marks Kruer's second-consecutive year making the Preseason All-Patriot League squad while Grenn and Murtha earned the honor for the first time.
 
Holding the program record with 25 career saves and sitting just three saves shy of matching the league record, Kruer was the Patriot League saves leader for the third-consecutive season in 2024. Racking up a 3.75 ERA over a career-high 36 innings to go with his nine saves, the Navy closer made 19 appearances and struck out 33 batters while limiting opponents to a .190 average against. A 2022 Freshman All-American and a 2023 All-Patriot League Second Teamer, Kruer holds a 3.47 ERA in 54 career appearances with 72 strikeouts across 80.1 innings of work.
 
Developing into Navy's top starter over the course of the season and winning three Patriot League Pitcher of the Week awards en route to all-league first-team honors, Grenn led the Patriot League in multiple categories entering the postseason. Tossing 72.1 innings and a league-high six wins, the right-hander finished with a 4.48 ERA and 34 strikeouts across 14 appearances, including pitching two complete games over his 13 starts. The righty was even more impressive in league play, posting a 4-2 record and 3.04 ERA over seven conference starts while notching 20 strikeouts in a league-leading 47.1 innings.
 
An all-league second-team selection, Murtha mashed from the start of the 2024 season while starting all 51 games for the Mids, leading the team in batting average (.345), doubles (16), slugging percentage (.508), walks (31), hit-by-pitches (14) and on-base percentage (.473). His 20 steals, 46 runs scored and 61 hits all ranked fourth in the Patriot League, while his 16 doubles stood second in the conference and his .473 on-base clip placed him third among the league's best. Racking up a team-best 19 multi-hit games at the plate, Murtha also made seven appearances on the mound with two starts. Conference play saw the infielder hit at a .306 clip while starting all 25 league games, scoring a team-high 21 times and knocking in 17 RBI in addition to swiping seven bases.
 
Army was picked to win the league once again, receiving 10 first-place votes and 50 total points in the preseason poll, while Navy was slated to finish second with 34 points and Holy Cross came in third at 32 points (two first-place votes). Bucknell tallied 32 points to land fourth, Lehigh was picked fifth with 20 points and Lafayette rounded out the poll at 12 points in sixth.
 
Navy and head coach Chuck Ristano open the 2025 season on Feb. 14 at Richmond. The Mids' home opener is set for Feb. 18 against Coppin State at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium.
 
2025 Patriot League Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Army West Point, 50 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Navy, 34
3. Holy Cross, 32 (2)
4. Bucknell, 32
5. Lehigh, 20
6. Lafayette, 12
 
2025 Patriot League Baseball Preseason Major Awards
Player of the Year – Sean Scanlon, Holy Cross, Sr., DH/1B/RHP
Pitcher of the Year – Justin Lehman, Army West Point, Sr., RHP
Defensive Player of the Year – Jake Whitlinger, Lehigh, Sr., CF
 
2025 Preseason Baseball All-Patriot League Team
Starting Pitcher: Justin Lehman, Army West Point, Sr., RHP
Starting Pitcher: Tyler Grenn, Navy, Jr., RHP
Relief Pitcher: Landon Kruer, Navy, Sr., RHP
Catcher: Ethan Swidler, Lafayette, Jr.
Infielder: Chris Barr, Army West Point, Jr., (2B)
Infielder: Billy Kender, Bucknell, Sr., (2B)
Infielder: Michael Trommer, Bucknell, Jr. (3B)
Infielder: Brock Murtha, Navy, Jr. (2B)
Outfielder: Billy Parker, Army West Point, Jr.
Outfielder: Chris Morabito, Bucknell, So.
Outfielder: Jake Whitlinger, Lehigh, Sr.
At-Large: Sean Scanlon, Holy Cross, Sr. (DH/1B/RHP)