Washburn University’s baseball team has something to celebrate as the regular season winds down. Ichabod pitcher Gavin Wilhelm has been named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week—the first time in his career he’s earned the honor. The Topeka native and Seaman High School alumnus delivered a standout performance on Saturday, May 2, throwing a shutout in a 5-0 victory over No. 5 Pittsburg State.

Wilhelm was dominant on the mound, allowing just one hit and two walks over 6.1 innings while striking out five batters. His effort not only secured a crucial win for Washburn but also capped off a strong regular season. On the year, Wilhelm has pitched 34.2 innings and racked up 32 strikeouts, showing the kind of consistency that makes him a key player to watch in the postseason.

Now, Wilhelm and the Ichabods are turning their focus to the MIAA Tournament. Washburn enters as the No. 8 seed with a 21-29 overall record and a 17-19 mark in conference play. They’ll face No. 9 Central Oklahoma (26-24, 17-19 MIAA) in the opening round on Wednesday, May 4. The tournament is set to take place in Edmond, Oklahoma, and promises plenty of high-stakes action.

For fans of Washburn baseball and MIAA sports, this is a moment to savor—a local hero earning recognition on the conference stage. Whether you’re gearing up for the tournament or just love following the game, keep an eye on Wilhelm as he looks to carry this momentum into the postseason.