FULLERTON, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton right-hander Thomas Eshelman was named the Big West Conference Pitcher of the Week, it was announced Monday.
It was Eshelman's second career Big West Pitcher of the Week selection after earning the honor in week three last seas
on. He was also the first Titans player selected as a conference player of the week in 2014.
In addition, Collegiate Baseball also named the Titans Friday-night starter one of the Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week on Monday.
The Carlsbad, Calif. native tossed a 10-inning complete-game shutout on Friday night in the Titans 1-0 walk-off victory over Hawaii. He became the first Titans pitcher to toss 10 innings since Jason Windsor did so on May 21, 2004 in a 2-1 victory over Jered Weaver and Long Beach State.
Eshelman made just 122 pitches in the 10 frames, 99 of them going for strikes. He scattered six hits and struck out six without issuing a walk. He allowed just one runner to reach third base and four to advance to second on the night.
The Rainbow Warriors did have a golden opportunity to take a lead in the top of the ninth off Eshelman. Stephen Ventimilia started a rally with a one-out base hit and then advanced to third on Kaeo Aliviado's single to right center to put the go-ahead run in scoring position with one out.
Jordan Richartz then got ahead 3-0 in the count before the Titans' right-hander mounted his stand, striking out Richartz and then getting clean-up hitter Marc Flores to fly out to right field to end the inning and preserve the shutout.
With the victory, Eshelman improved to 6-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to 1.88. He's allowed just three walks in 86.1 innings pitched while fanning 62 batters. He is allowing opponents to hit just .222 against him.
His 0.31 walks allowed per nine innings average ranks first in the country, as does his 20.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His three complete games rank him first in the Big West and 25th in the nation. He is also ranked third in the conference and 13th in the country with a 0.85 WHIP.
Others Nominated for Big West Pitcher of the Week: Jerry Keel (Cal State Northridge), Nick Sabo, Max Cordy (UC Davis), Sam Moore (UC Irvine), Dylan Stuart (UC Riverside), Dillon Tate (UC Santa Barbara), Matt Cooper (Hawaii)