Zags’ ace named to All-American list
HERALD SPORTS STAFF | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 3 months AGO
Gonzaga Bulldogs Gabriel Hughes (45) in action against the Oregon State Beavers during an NCAA baseball game on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020 in Surprise, Ariz.
AP Photo/Jennifer Stewart
SPOKANE - Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes was named to the D1Baseball.com All-American list on Friday, earning a nod on the second team.
Hughes also earned spots on the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association as a second-team All-American, a first-team spot on the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper list and on the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings list as a first-team member of the All-West region.
The D1Baseball.com award is Hughes’ third All-American award from this season, where he finished with an 8-3 record, 3.21 ERA, 138 strikeouts, 37 walks and a .209 OBA in 98 innings pitched. His 138 strikeouts were the ninth most in the nation and the most on the Gonzaga pitching staff.
His three West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week awards were the most of any pitcher in the conference, and he was also named the NCBWA Pitcher of the Week in mid-March. Hughes was named as a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given to the top amateur player regardless of the division they play in.
Hughes is expected to be a first-round pick in July’s MLB Draft, mocked to go as high as No. 13 by ESPN. He checks in at No. 26 in D1Baseball.com’s rankings of draft-eligible prospects.
ARTICLES BY HERALD SPORTS STAFF
Eagles place eighth at CDA National
COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — Eastern Washington men's golf stayed local this week, heading to Idaho to host the CDA National Invite at CDA National Reserve. EWU placed 8th in the tournament, shooting 877. Emilio Gil Leyva Llamas paired together three great rounds according to EWU athletics, with a first day 74 (+2), second day 71 (-1), and a third day 74 (+2). Gil Leyva finished his tournament tied for 17th.
Football set to start with Gridiron Guide
MOSES LAKE — Local football players have started to hit the turf as preseason practices have been running in the late summer. Check out how the players and coaches have been preparing for their seasons with the Gridiron Guide in Friday’s paper.
Wildcats Begin New Era with Championship Expectations
ELLENSBURG — As the Central Washington Wildcats enter fall camp, they also embark on the beginning of a new chapter, according to CWU Athletics. After winning the 2025 GNAC championship and reaching the NCAA West Regional semifinals, the Wildcats enter the 2026 season with a roster loaded with experience, talent and championship aspirations. Lauren Herseth takes over as head coach after serving as the program's associate head coach for the last five seasons, following the departure of Mario Andaya to become CWU's Deputy Director of Athletics. Herseth will be joined by assistant coach Hannah Stires, a former standout Wildcat player who returns to the Wildcats.