Owensboro, Ky. – Evan Oakley has been named the Great Midwest Pitcher of the Year for the 2025 season.
Oakley led the conference in several major statistical categories, including ERA (1.78), wins (8), and innings pitched (75.2). The junior was also second in strikeouts (91) and home runs allowed (1) in the conference.
His 1.78 ERA additionally placed him in the top five in all of Division II in that category, leading to him becoming the first G-MAC Pitcher/Player of the Year for Kentucky Wesleyan Baseball since Devin Smith back in 2019.
Currently in the KWC record book, Oakley is second in wins, tied for second in strikeouts, and fourth in ERA in a single season.
The Gilbertsville, Kentucky native began his season strong with 17.2 consecutive innings pitched without allowing an earned run, providing a glimpse of what was to come for the Panthers' ace.
On March 14 vs. Findlay, Oakley tallied a career-high 13 strikeouts across six innings pitched while allowing just one unearned run. His 13 K's put him tied for third in Wesleyan single-game history.
Less than a month later, the righty shut out Malone over eight innings pitched with eight strikeouts on April 3. Just nine days after that, he hit double-digit strikeouts for the second time this season with 10 while allowing just one run in seven innings on April 12 vs. Thomas More.
Oakley and the Panthers are currently in the thick of the Great Midwest Baseball Championship in Mason, Ohio, at Prasco Park. All games are being streamed live on the Great Midwest Digital Network.
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