By: Matt Betts
Left-handed pitcher Russell Kwinter looked more like a seasoned veteran than a freshman during his first season at the University of Chicago.
Kwinter ended the campaign with a 7-0 record and a 4.89 ERA over 42.1 innings in 11 appearances, 10 of which were starts.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed as he was named both the University Athletic Association Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.
At the time he was named the recipient, he had pitched to a 3.57 ERA and an even better 2.54 ERA in conference play.
He’s only the second player to earn Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in University of Chicago history.
Kwinter was an integral part of a bounce back season for the Maroons as they were coming off a 19-24 record in 2024.
They flipped the script in 2025, going a program best 29-16 and making it to a regional where they went 3-2, losing in the final.
It was the program’s first ever regional appearance.