Whalen Awarded CUSA Pitcher of the Year

DALLAS – WKU Baseball right-handed pitcher Drew Whalen was named Conference USA's Pitcher of the Year, the league announced Tuesday afternoon.

Votes were compiled from the head coaches of the 10 CUSA teams, respectively.

Whalen, a sophomore from Franklin, Tenn., becomes the fifth Conference Pitcher of the Year in program history, the first CUSA Pitcher of the Year in program history and the first in 15 seasons.

All-Time WKU Baseball Conference Pitchers of the Year
2002 Sun Belt Conference: Ryan Bicondoa, RHP
2003 Sun Belt Conference: Matt Wilhite, RHP
2009 Sun Belt Conference: Matt Hightower, LHP
2010 Sun Belt Conference: Matt Ridings, RHP
2025 Conference USA: Drew Whalen, RHP

The sophomore from Franklin, Tenn. turned in an outstanding regular season on the mound, posting a 9-2 overall record with a 2.84 ERA in 14 consecutive weekend starts. In 69.2 innings of work, the right-hander totaled 79 strikeouts and a .223 opposing batting average while allowing just 22 earned runs and 15 extra-base hits. He had six or more strikeouts in nine of his 14 starts and in six of his first seven starts.

In CUSA, the sophomore ranks first in wins (9), second in ERA (2.84), second in opposing batting average (.223), fourth in innings pitched (69.2), third in strikeouts (79) and first in strikeouts looking (24).

Midway through the year, Whalen was named to the College Baseball Hall of Fame National Pitcher of the Year Watch List alongside his teammate, Jack Bennett. They were two of the three Conference USA pitchers selected to the list.

In CUSA play, he earned wins against Kennesaw State, Sam Houston, Liberty, Middle Tennessee and New Mexico State, going at least 5.0 frames in each contest. He pitched a total of 30.1 frames in those five wins and conceded just three runs.

Whalen hit double-digit strikeouts for the first time in his career against Sam Houston on March 29. He fanned 10 Bearkats in 6.2 scoreless innings while surrendering just three hits.

He earned CUSA Pitcher of the Week after shutting out Liberty for 6.0 innings while striking out six to clinch the series sweep over the Flames on April 13.

The Franklin, Tenn. native tossed a career-high 7.0 frames in a 9-1 rubber game win over Middle Tennessee on April 19. He struck out nine Blue Raiders while giving up just one run on five hits with one walk.

Whalen and the Hilltoppers hit the field for practice at Liberty Baseball Stadium on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the 2025 CUSA Championship. #2 WKU faces #7 New Mexico State in the first round on Wednesday, May 21. First pitch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT.

How to follow WKU Baseball: For complete information on WKU Hilltopper Baseball, visit WKUSports.com or follow the program via social media @WKU_Baseball on X and @WKUBaseball on Instagram.

Players Mentioned

Jack Bennett

Drew Whalen

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