NEW ORLEANS – Huston-Tillotson pitchers claimed two of the first weekly awards of 2026 given to baseball players by the HBCU Athletic Conference, the league announced Tuesday.
Ethan Walker was named the HBCUAC's Pitcher of the Week, while Evan Mendoza was named the league's Newcomer of the Week for their performances during HT's first week of play.
Walker, a junior from La Vernia, Texas, earned Pitcher of the Week honors after tossing a six-hit, seven-inning shutout in HT's series-opening 4-0 win over Mission (Mo.) last Friday. He walked only two batters and induced 11 flyouts in the game. Walker also tossed an inning in the Rams' season-opener at Texas A&M–Victoria; he struck out a batter in each game.
Mendoza, a junior from Baytown, Texas, helped the Rams salvage a split of HT's four-game series with Mission with a 3-2 win in Saturday's finale to earn Newcomer of the Week honors. Making his first for HT after transferring from Angelina College, Mendoza struck out eight batters over six innings while allowing only one earned run.
The Rams return to action Friday when they open a four-game series against Central Christian College (Kan.). The teams will play two seven-inning games on Friday, and two more seven-inning contests Saturday. Friday's doubleheader is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Downs Field.
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