What a week for Riley Gowens!
On Sunday, he combined with Ryan O’Hara and Cole Kirschsieper for a historic no-hitter at Purdue. Pitching seven innings, he was named as one of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Players of the Week.
Here is the official announcement from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Libertyville native Gowens is a junior but missed his first two years due to injury. He has one win in 2021 but interestingly, that was in March against Minnesota. Sunday’s game was a pitchers’ duel and Gowens wasn’t afforded that win.
Illinois’ win on Sunday clinched a sweep against Purdue. Gowens’ linescore for Sunday:
7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K
Riley Gowens is the first Illinois pitcher to be awarded the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week honor and the second overall Illini to receive it (Bren Spillane was honored twice in 2018).
No word yet from the Big Ten about the conference Pitcher of the Week award. I’m betting Gowens name will be on that too. When it does, you will see it on the Big Ten Baseball news feed.
Congratulations Riley!