4x Academic All-Big Ten (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
2023 (Redshirt Senior)
Had multi-hit efforts in both Big Ten Tournament games, going 4-for-6 with a run and two RBIs in Omaha (5/24-25) ... Had a pair of multi-hit games at MInnesota, going 4-for-11 with three runs scored in the series (5/18-20) ... Hit two home runs in final series against Illinois, driving in four runs and scoring a pair in series (5/12-14) ... Was hit by three pitches in series sweep at Northwestern (4/21-23) ... 3-for-9 with a home run, three RBIs an a run scored in Michigan series (4/14-16) ... 2-for-5 with a walk and run scored in series finale win at Maryland (4/9) ... Went 3-for-9 in series against Michigan State (3/31-4/2) ... Started all three games and collected five hits and two RBIs in series at UConn (3/24-26) ... went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a run scored in win over Lafayette (3/22) ... had a career day in doubleheader sweep of Georgia Southern, going 3-for-5 with a home run and 5 RBIs in first game, caught all nine innings of combined no-hitter in nightcap (3/11) ... hit first career home run in win over Wagner (3/7).
2022 (Redshirt Junior)
1-for-1 with a double and 2 runs scored in win over Bowling Green (5/14) ... 2-for-2 with 2 runs scored against Maryland (5/8) ... had a hit in a run both games started at Ohio State (4/19-4/30) ... 1-for-3 with 2 runs and 2 RBI in win over Hofstra (4/26) ... had an RBI double and run scored in win over Iowa (4/24) ... started at catcher and went 1-for-3 in win over Monmouth (4/5) ... was 1-for-3 with an RBI double and run scored in win over NJIT (3/9) ... went 2-for-4 with a career-high two runs scored against Hawaii (3/12) ... singled and walked at VCU (3/6) ... made first start of the year in second win at UNCW (2/26) ... hit by a pitch and scored a run in season debut at Houston Baptist (2/19).
2021 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Played in 17 games with 11 starts at catcher ... named Academic All-Big Ten (5/27) for the second time ... handled 104 chances defensively without an error ... caught three runners stealing and only two passed balls against ... collected five hits at the plate with two walks and two hit by pitches ... singled against Illinois (5/29) ... picked up two hits with an RBI versus Nebraska (5/9) ... drew a walk at No. 19 Nebraska (5/1) ... ripped an RBI double and walked at Northwestern (4/10) ... caught a runner stealing versus Penn State (4/3) ... hit by a pitch at Maryland (3/13) ... made season debut with start behind the plate against Indiana (3/6).
2020 (Sophomore)
Played in seven games with four starts at catcher ... named Academic All-Big Ten (6/10) ... singled and laid down a sacrifice bunt at Old Dominion (3/7) ... had an RBI single at North Florida (2/23) ... made season debut with a start behind the plate at No. 3 Miami (2/15).
2019 (Freshman)
Appeared in nine games with one start at catcher ... picked up two hits, two walks and two runs scored on the season ... made first start against Wagner (4/3) and registered first RBI on a single and walked in two trips to the plate ... walked and scored at Florida Gulf Coast (3/16) ... recorded a single for first hit at USC Upstate (3/10) ... made collegiate debut as a defensive replacement at catcher against Old Dominion (3/3).
Prior to Rutgers: Played four seasons of varsity baseball at Roxbury High School … previously earned Morris County Rookie of the Year … a two-time first team all-conference and one-time second team all-conference selection … also named Third Team All-Group III … batted .490 as a junior on 39 hits with four home runs and 12 doubles … hit .286 as a sophomore with 11 doubles … started high school career with a .326 batting average on 29 hits to earn Freshman Athlete of the Year … played seven seasons of travel baseball with the Morris's County Cubs and won MVP six times.
Personal: Son of Mary and Stuart Axelson … has an older brother, Nick.
Know Your Knights
Nickname: Axe
One word to describe Coach Owens: Driven
Favorite Rutgers athlete, past or present: Todd Frazier
Best player ever competed against: Anthony Volpe
Major: Sport Management
I chose my major because: I want to pursue the subject I love the most, sports. Sport management gives me the option to work in a field that is sports-related, while possibly teaching younger generations about sports.
Favorite place to hang out on campus: The RAC
The person I most admire is: My father. He taught me how to play baseball growing up, and gave me valuable lessons. His dedication to my family and life has driven me to be the best person I can.
If I wasn’t playing baseball, I’d be: Going to college as a regular student following my career.
Favorite professional athlete: Mike Trout
Favorite professional sports team: Yankees
One word to describe myself on the field: Optimistic
One word to describe myself off the field: Personable
Few people know that I: Can shred on the drums.
Person who had greatest influence on my athletics career: My father
I started playing my sport because: I grew up alongside my brother and dad, both baseball players. Being part of a family that loves baseball allowed me to understand the game at a different level.
I chose Rutgers because: I have always wanted to represent New Jersey at Rutgers University.
Favorite cereal: Frosted Flakes
The movie I have watched the most in my lifetime:
Forrest Gump
The best actor to play me in a movie: Matthew McConaughey
Favorite musician/group: Billy Joel/Queen
The first song I knew all the words to: "Piano Man" - Billy Joel
If I could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, I would win a gold medal at: Rock Band playing guitar on expert.
Famous people I have met include: Jorge Posada, Mike Piazza, Alex Rodriguez and Jimmy Fallon
Rituals I have before, during or after a game: Prayer before game, tap the plate once on the far side and once on the close side (before I hit)
Favorite all-time gift received: Drum set
Pets I had growing up: One dog
My favorite Halloween costume growing up: Step brothers
The place in the world I would most like to visit: West coast
The website I visit most often: Rutgers Canvas
My favorite teacher: Mr. Finkelstein (sport marketing, sophomore fall semester)
The quote that most resonates with me: "Baseball is ninety percent mental and the other half is physical." - Yogi Berra
If my life was a book, the title would be: Strangeness
If I could choose any color when buying a new car it would be: All black.
My spirit animal: Dog
One thing on my bucket list: Climb Mount Everest
Phone app you cannot live without: Venmo
What would you like to say to the R Fund donors who have provided for your scholarship and/or facility resources? Thank you for all of the support you give each and every athlete at Rutgers. Without your generosity, athletes would not be able to live out their dreams nor pursue their career goals. Your donation are always appreciated at Rutgers.
How has Rutgers and donor support changed your life? It has given me the ability to play the sport I love at a high level. It saved my parents' money, and most importantly allowed me to choose Rutgers as my final choice.
