Joplin, Mo. - After being named the first MIAA Pitcher of the Week of the 2024 season, Cole Gayman was named the National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, announced by the organization Wednesday afternoon. 

After being named the conference Pitcher of the Week, Gayman was nominated and selected as the Regional Pitcher of the Week, putting him up for National Pitcher of the Week.

Gayman had a dominant first outing of the 2024 season, leading the Lions to a victory over #17 Southern Arkansas in their season opener. In that contest, Gayman gave up just one hit over his 6.0 innings pitched. That hit was given up to the leadoff batter of the game, not surrendering a hit after that. He recorded 7 strikeouts against the Muleriders, tossing 6.0 shutout innings. 

The Lions will play host to the Ouachita Baptist Tigers this Friday-Sunday for their home-opening series. Game times for that series are 3:00pm, 1:00pm, and 1:00pm.