Complete HTA PacWest Fantastic 15 Release

Phoenix, AZ -- After coming within a few feet of a complete-game shutout, redshirt sophomore Nate Gercken had to settle for his first career victory in his latest outing, which earned him a spot on the Hawaii Tourism Authority PacWest Fantastic 15. The conference announced the baseball honor on Monday, April 8, for games contested April 1-7.

Gercken allowed only one hit and two other base runners heading into the seventh inning. After getting two outs, he hit the next batter and then gave up a single. On the final play of the game, a slow roller to third, Dante Redhead made a heads up play to get the sure out with the runner heading from second to third, which ended the game but allowed the only run for PLNU to score. In the start, the Sea Lions hit only .087 against him, while opponents on the year are hitting a paltry .240 off the big righty.

Gercken threw his second straight complete game and has been one of the most in control pitchers in the conference, allowing only eight walks all season in 44.1 innings, a rate of 1.63 walks per nine inning pitched. For his career, his last start put his career ERA at 4.99 while his season ERA dropped to 3.05, the lowest on the staff.