Big East Conference baseball tournament

{{Infobox NCAA conference tournament

| name = Big East Conference baseball tournament

| optional_subheader = Conference baseball championship

| defunct =

| image = 200px

| caption = Big East Conference logo

| sport = Baseball

| conference = Big East Conference

| number_of_teams = 4

| format = Double-elimination tournament

| current_stadium = Prasco Park

| current_location = Mason, Ohio

| years = 1985–present

| most_recent = 2024

| current_champion = St. John's (10)

| most_championships = St. John's (10)

| television =

| website = [http://www.bigeast.org/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=19400&SPID=11225&SPSID=92543 BigEast.org Baseball]

| sponsors =

| all_stadiums = Prasco Park (2018–24)
TD Ameritrade Park Omaha (2015, 2017)
Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium (2016)
MCU Park (2007, 2014)
Bright House Field (2006, 2008–2013)
Commerce Bank Ballpark (2000–2005)
Waterfront Park (1999)
Dodd Stadium (1996–1998)
Muzzy Field (1985–1995)

| all_locations = Mason, OH (2018–23)
Omaha, NE (2015, 2017)
Aberdeen, MD (2016)
Brooklyn, NY (2007, 2014)
Clearwater, FL (2006, 2008–2013)
Bridgewater, NJ (2000–2005)
Trenton, NJ (1999)
Norwich, CT (1996–1998)
Bristol, CT (1985–1995)

}}

The Big East Conference baseball tournament is the conference championship tournament in baseball for the Big East Conference. It is a double-elimination tournament and seeding is based on regular-season records. The winner receives the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The Big East Tournament champion is separate from the conference champion. The conference championship is determined solely by regular-season record.

From 1985 to 2013, the tournament was sponsored by the old Big East Conference. Starting with the 2014 tournament, it has been sponsored by the newly formed, non-football Big East Conference.

Tournament

The Big East Conference baseball tournament is a four-team double-elimination tournament, held annually at various locations in the Big East Conference region. The four teams with the best conference record at the end of the regular season earn berths in the tournament. The winner earns the Big East's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. The remaining Big East teams can also qualify for the 64-team NCAA Tournament by receiving an at-large bid.

History

The tournament was first held in 1985.

=1985–1995=

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament was established in 1985 as the championship event for Big East baseball teams. The tournament determined the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Between 1985 and 1995, the event was held at Muzzy Field in Bristol, Connecticut, and it utilized a four-team, double-elimination format.

= Champions and notable highlights =

1985: St. John's won the inaugural tournament, defeating Seton Hall 7–6 in the championship game. Joe Armeni of Seton Hall was named the Most Outstanding Player.{{cite news |title=St. John’s Wins Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=May 19, 1985 |url=https://www.courant.com/archives}}

1986: St. John’s secured back-to-back titles with a 13–4 victory over Providence College.{{cite news |title=Big East Baseball: St. John’s Defends Title |newspaper=New York Times |date=May 20, 1986 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/05/20/sports}}

1987: Seton Hall captured its first tournament championship, edging out Villanova 10–9 in a closely contested final.{{cite news |title=Seton Hall Claims Big East Crown |newspaper=The Record (Bergen, NJ) |date=May 18, 1987 |url=https://www.northjersey.com}}

1988: St. John's claimed its third title in four years, shutting out Villanova 5–0 in the championship game.{{cite news |title=St. John’s Cruises in Big East Final |newspaper=Newsday |date=May 23, 1988 |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports}}

1989: Villanova won its first tournament championship, defeating Providence 10–7.{{cite web |title=Villanova Baseball History |website=Villanova Athletics |url=https://villanova.com/sports/baseball/history}}

1990: Connecticut secured its first tournament title with a 4–3 victory over Seton Hall.{{cite news |title=UConn Tops Seton Hall for Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=May 20, 1990 |url=https://www.courant.com/sports}}

1991: Villanova earned its second championship with a dominant 12–3 win over St. John's.{{cite web |title=Villanova Baseball Championships |website=Villanova Athletics |url=https://villanova.com/sports/baseball}}

1992: Providence won its first tournament title, defeating Connecticut 5–3 in the final.{{cite news |title=Providence Wins Big East Title in Tight Contest |newspaper=Providence Journal |date=May 24, 1992 |url=https://www.providencejournal.com}}

1993: St. John's claimed another title, defeating Connecticut 9–0.{{cite news |title=St. John’s Shuts Out UConn for Big East Crown |newspaper=Newsday |date=May 23, 1993 |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports}}

1994: Connecticut secured its second championship by defeating Seton Hall 4–2.{{cite news |title=UConn Takes Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Hartford Courant |date=May 22, 1994 |url=https://www.courant.com/sports}}

1995: Pittsburgh won its first tournament title, beating Providence 10–4. Jon DeBernardis of Pittsburgh was named the Most Outstanding Player.{{cite news |title=Pittsburgh Claims First Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |date=May 21, 1995 |url=https://www.post-gazette.com}}

= Legacy =

During this period, St. John’s dominated with four championships, while Villanova and Connecticut each won two titles. The Big East Tournament established itself as a key event in the college baseball postseason, offering teams a pathway to the NCAA Tournament. Muzzy Field remained the consistent venue, providing a classic baseball setting for these competitive matchups.

=1996–2000=

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament expanded in 1996, shifting from a four-team to a six-team format. The tournament determined the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. During this period, the event saw increased competition and new champions emerging.

= Champions and notable highlights =

1996: The tournament expanded to six teams for the first time. Providence College captured its second title, defeating St. John’s 9–5.{{cite news |title=Providence Wins Expanded Big East Tournament |newspaper=Providence Journal |date=May 26, 1996 |url=https://www.providencejournal.com}}

1997: Notre Dame won its first tournament championship, defeating Villanova 10–2 in the final.{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Claims First Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=South Bend Tribune |date=May 25, 1997 |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com}}

1998: Notre Dame successfully defended its title, edging out Rutgers 7–5 in a closely contested championship game.{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Wins Back-to-Back Big East Crowns |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 24, 1998 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com}}

1999: Rutgers University broke through with its first Big East championship, defeating Notre Dame 6–4.{{cite news |title=Rutgers Captures First Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Newark Star-Ledger |date=May 23, 1999 |url=https://www.nj.com}}

2000: Rutgers won its second consecutive championship, defeating Boston College 12–5 in the final.{{cite news |title=Rutgers Baseball Wins Back-to-Back Big East Titles |newspaper=New York Times |date=May 21, 2000 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/05/21/sports}}

= Legacy =

During this period, the tournament saw increased competition with the expansion to six teams in 1996. Notre Dame emerged as a powerhouse with consecutive championships, while Rutgers solidified its place as a title contender by winning in 1999 and 2000. The tournament continued to be a key event in the Big East baseball landscape, helping teams gain national recognition and NCAA Tournament berths.

=2001–2005=

The tournament returned to a four-team, double-elimination format.

The Big East Conference Baseball Tournament continued to evolve in the early 2000s. The tournament remained a crucial event for teams seeking an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. During this period, powerhouse programs solidified their dominance, and new contenders emerged.

= Champions and notable highlights =

2001: Notre Dame won its third Big East championship, defeating Rutgers 6–4 in the final.{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Takes Big East Crown |newspaper=South Bend Tribune |date=May 20, 2001 |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com}}

2002: Notre Dame secured back-to-back championships with an 11–3 victory over Rutgers.{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Defends Big East Title |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=May 26, 2002 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com}}

2003: Rutgers reclaimed the title by defeating West Virginia 4–2 in a tightly contested championship game.{{cite news |title=Rutgers Wins Big East Baseball Tournament |newspaper=Newark Star-Ledger |date=May 24, 2003 |url=https://www.nj.com}}

2004: Boston College captured its first Big East championship, defeating Pittsburgh 10–3.{{cite news |title=Boston College Wins First Big East Baseball Title |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=May 22, 2004 |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com}}

2005: Notre Dame won its fourth championship in five years with a 7–3 victory over Boston College.{{cite news |title=Notre Dame Back on Top in Big East Baseball |newspaper=South Bend Tribune |date=May 21, 2005 |url=https://www.southbendtribune.com}}

= Legacy =

Between 2001 and 2005, Notre Dame continued to be the dominant program, winning three championships during this stretch. Rutgers and Boston College also emerged as strong contenders, with Boston College winning its first-ever title. The tournament remained an important pathway for Big East teams seeking national recognition and NCAA postseason berths.

=2006–2013=

The tournament was expanded to become an eight-team, double-elimination tournament.

=2014=

In the 2012–2013 academic year, the old Big East Conference had 15 members. In its inaugural 2013–2014 academic year, the new Big East Conference had only 10 members.

With only seven baseball-sponsoring schools in the conference, the top four teams participate.

Champions by year

class="wikitable"
Year ! School ! Site ! Jack Kaiser Award (Most Outstanding Player)
1985 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1985\|team=St. John's Redmen\|title=St. John's}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Joe Armeni, Seton Hall
1986 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1986\|team=St. John's Redmen\|title=St. John's}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Tom Finke, St. John's
1987 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1987\|team=Seton Hall Pirates\|title=Seton Hall}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Mo Vaughn, Seton Hall
1988 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1988\|team=St. John's Redmen\|title=St. John's}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Mike Weinberg, St. John's
1989 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1989\|team=Villanova Wildcats\|title=Villanova}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Rafael Novoa, Villanova
1990 \| Connecticut \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Craig MacDonald, Connecticut
1991 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1991\|team=Villanova Wildcats\|title=Villanova}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Mike Neill, Villanova
1992 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1992\|team=Providence Friars\|title=Providence}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Jim Foster, Providence
1993 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1993\|team=St. John's Redmen\|title=St. John's}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Mike Maerten, St. John's
1994 \| Connecticut \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Chris Bisson, Connecticut
1995 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1995\|team=Pittsburgh Panthers\|title=Pittsburgh}} \| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT \| Jon DeBernardis, Pittsburgh
1996 \| West Virginia \| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT \| Chris Enochs, West Virginia
1997 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1997\|team=St. John's Red Storm\|title=St. John's}} \| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT \| Mike Dzurilla, St. John's
1998 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1998\|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights\|title=Rutgers}} \| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT \| Dave Marciniak, Rutgers
1999 \| {{cbsb link\|year=1999\|team=Providence Friars\|title=Providence}} \| Waterfront Park • Trenton, NJ \| Marc DesRoches, Providence
2000 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2000\|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights\|title=Rutgers}} \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Bobby Brownlie, Rutgers
2001 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2001\|team=Seton Hall Pirates\|title=Seton Hall}} \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Isaac Pavlik, Seton Hall
2002 \| Notre Dame \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Steve Stanley, Notre Dame
2003 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2003\|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish\|title=Notre Dame}} \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Javi Sanchez, Notre Dame
2004 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2004\|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish\|title=Notre Dame}} \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Matt Macri, Notre Dame
2005 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2005\|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish\|title=Notre Dame}} \| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ \| Matt Edwards, Notre Dame
2006 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2006\|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish\|title=Notre Dame}} \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Wade Korpi, Notre Dame
2007 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2007\|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights\|title=Rutgers}} \| KeySpan Park • Brooklyn, NY \| Todd Frazier, Rutgers
2008 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2008\|team=Louisville Cardinals\|title=Louisville}} \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Chris Dominguez, Louisville
2009 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2009\|team=Louisville Cardinals\|title=Louisville}} \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Andrew Clark, Louisville
2010 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2010\|team=St. John's Red Storm\|title=St. John's}} \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Kyle Hansen, St. John's
2011 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2011\|team=Seton Hall Pirates\|title=Seton Hall}} \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Joe DiRocco, Seton Hall
2012 \| St. John's \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Matt Carasiti, St. John's
2013 \| Connecticut \| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL \| Billy Ferriter, Connecticut
2014 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2014\|team=Xavier Musketeers\|title=Xavier}} \| MCU Park • Brooklyn, NY \| Mitch Elliott, Xavier
2015 \| {{CBSB link\|year=2015\|team=St. John's Red Storm\|title=St. John's}} \| TD Ameritrade Park Omaha • Omaha, NE \| Alex Caruso, St. John's
2016 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2016\|team=Xavier Musketeers\|title=Xavier}} \| Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium • Aberdeen, MD \| Daniel Rizzie, Xavier
2017 \| {{cbsb link\|year=2017\|team=Xavier Musketeers\|title=Xavier}} \| TD Ameritrade Park Omaha • Omaha, NE \| Conor Grammes, Xavier
2018 \| {{CBSB link\|year=2018\|team=St. John's Red Storm\|title=St. John's}} \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Jeff Belge, St. John's
2019 \| {{CBSB link\|year=2019\|team=Creighton Bluejays\|title=Creighton}} \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Jack Strunc, Creighton
2020 \|colspan=3 align=center\|Canceled due to COVID-19
2021 \| UConn \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Kyler Fedko, UConn
2022 \| UConn \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Luke Franzoni, Xavier
2023 \| Xavier \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Jack Housinger, Xavier
2024 \| St. John's \| Prasco Park • Mason, OH \| Jimmy Keenan, St. John's

class="wikitable"

Year

! School

! Site

! Jack Kaiser Award
(Most Outstanding Player)

1985

| {{cbsb link|year=1985|team=St. John's Redmen|title=St. John's}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Joe Armeni, Seton Hall

1986

| {{cbsb link|year=1986|team=St. John's Redmen|title=St. John's}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Tom Finke, St. John's

1987

| {{cbsb link|year=1987|team=Seton Hall Pirates|title=Seton Hall}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Mo Vaughn, Seton Hall

1988

| {{cbsb link|year=1988|team=St. John's Redmen|title=St. John's}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Mike Weinberg, St. John's

1989

| {{cbsb link|year=1989|team=Villanova Wildcats|title=Villanova}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Rafael Novoa, Villanova

1990

| Connecticut

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Craig MacDonald, Connecticut

1991

| {{cbsb link|year=1991|team=Villanova Wildcats|title=Villanova}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Mike Neill, Villanova

1992

| {{cbsb link|year=1992|team=Providence Friars|title=Providence}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Jim Foster, Providence

1993

| {{cbsb link|year=1993|team=St. John's Redmen|title=St. John's}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Mike Maerten, St. John's

1994

| Connecticut

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Chris Bisson, Connecticut

1995

| {{cbsb link|year=1995|team=Pittsburgh Panthers|title=Pittsburgh}}

| Muzzy Field • Bristol, CT

| Jon DeBernardis, Pittsburgh

1996

| West Virginia

| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT

| Chris Enochs, West Virginia

1997

| {{cbsb link|year=1997|team=St. John's Red Storm|title=St. John's}}

| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT

| Mike Dzurilla, St. John's

1998

| {{cbsb link|year=1998|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Rutgers}}

| Dodd Stadium • Norwich, CT

| Dave Marciniak, Rutgers

1999

| {{cbsb link|year=1999|team=Providence Friars|title=Providence}}

| Waterfront Park • Trenton, NJ

| Marc DesRoches, Providence

2000

| {{cbsb link|year=2000|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Rutgers}}

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Bobby Brownlie, Rutgers

2001

| {{cbsb link|year=2001|team=Seton Hall Pirates|title=Seton Hall}}

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Isaac Pavlik, Seton Hall

2002

| Notre Dame

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Steve Stanley, Notre Dame

2003

| {{cbsb link|year=2003|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|title=Notre Dame}}

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Javi Sanchez, Notre Dame

2004

| {{cbsb link|year=2004|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|title=Notre Dame}}

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Matt Macri, Notre Dame

2005

| {{cbsb link|year=2005|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|title=Notre Dame}}

| Commerce Bank Ballpark • Bridgewater, NJ

| Matt Edwards, Notre Dame

2006

| {{cbsb link|year=2006|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|title=Notre Dame}}

| Bright House Field • Clearwater, FL

| Wade Korpi, Notre Dame

2007

| {{cbsb link|year=2007|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|title=Rutgers}}

| KeySpan Park • Brooklyn, NY

| Todd Frazier, Rutgers

2008

| {{cbsb link|year=2008|team=Louisville Cardinals|title=Louisville}}