JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Baseball had two players named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team ahead of the 2025 season. Richard Long received the ASUN Preseason Pitcher of the Year award, and Chandler Howard was unanimously selected as designated hitter on the preseason All-ASUN team.
Long, a senior right-handed pitcher, earned his second career All-ASUN selection following a strong 2024 season. He posted an 8-2 record with a 3.80 ERA over 83.0 innings pitched, limiting opponents to a .221 batting average. Long struck out 62 batters while walking just 28. His performances included two complete games — a seven-inning, three-hit, one-run effort in a 15-1 victory over Central Arkansas, and an eight-inning shutout in a 10-0 win over North Florida in the River City Rumble. Long recorded a season-high 11 strikeouts in a win against Queens and struck out 10 in a victory over Kennesaw State. In ASUN play, Long went undefeated with a 7-0 record. He was named a second-team All-ASUN performer for his dominant season.
"Long's ability to throw any of his four pitches for a strike on any count makes him a tough matchup on the mound," said head coach Chris Hayes.
Chandler Howard was also named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team as a designated hitter, earning unanimous selection. Howard appeared in 42 games last year, starting 28. He finished the season with a .347 batting average, a .456 on-base percentage, and a .568 slugging percentage. He accumulated nine doubles, five home runs, and 38 RBIs while leading the team with a 1.024 OPS. Howard demonstrated excellent plate discipline, striking out just 24 times while drawing 22 walks. He recorded 11 multi-hit games and 10 multi-RBI games. Notable performances included a four-RBI game against Central Arkansas on March 30 and three-hit games against Austin Peay on April 14 and Queens on April 28. In conference play, Howard posted a .356 batting average, a .463 on-base percentage, and a .598 slugging percentage over 29 games.
Jacksonville was ranked fifth in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll with 94 points. Stetson ranked first with 140 points and eight first-place votes, followed by FGCU with 123 points and two first-place votes. Austin Peay ranked third with 120 points and one first-place vote, while Lipscomb ranked fourth with 105 points.
The Dolphins look to start the season strong with a 4-game opening series against No. 21 West Virginia, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on February 14. Tickets can be purchased here.
