On Feb. 24, Hornet senior right-hander Evan Gibbons was named the Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week. Photo courtesy of Sacramento State Athletics

SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) - Fresh off a performance that earned him his first victory of the season, senior right-hander Evan Gibbons was named the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Pitcher of the Week on Monday, Feb. 24.

It is the first career honor for Gibbons, who became the first Hornet hurler to win the award since teammate Kade Brown did so on April 22 of last season.

The three-time WAC All-Academic Team selection put up a stellar start in game three of the series against Ball State on Feb. 21, picking up his first "quality start" of the season while combining on a three-hit shutout. 

Brown allowed only two hits and five baserunners total over six shutout innings, walking a pair and tying his career high with eight strikeouts. Of the five Cardinals that reached base during his time on the mound, Gibbons stranded four of those in scoring position as Sacramento State went on to win the game, 2-0.

The eight strikeouts matched his high bar set in 2023 against Utah Tech and tied twice in 2024 in starts against Utah Valley and Stephen F. Austin. Gibbons is tied for second on the team with 10 strikeouts over 10.2 innings of work, holding opposing hitters to a .231 batting average.

Following a short break, the Hornets returned to the diamond on Feb. 26, defeating South Dakota State 14-2 in the opening game of a four-game home series at John Smith Field.