Tulane's Gibaut named a Louisville Slugger freshman All-American
NEW ORLEANS – Postseason accolades for the Tulane baseball program have started to roll in, as freshman closer Ian Gibaut was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American Baseball team - as selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper - announced the publication on Wednesday.
Gibaut, a native of Houston, notched a 2-2 record with 12 saves and a 2.66 ERA. He fanned 38 batters in 40.2 innings while walking only 18.
“This is very well deserved,” said Tulane baseball head coach Rick Jones. “Two wins and 12 saves as a freshman is a heck of an accomplishment. I’m very proud of Ian, and I’m excited about his future in our program.”
Gibaut broke the Tulane freshman-record in saves with 12 on the season. He also notched the most saves by a newcomer since junior college transfer Brandon Belanger posted 16 for the Greenies in 1999.
The Conference USA All-Freshman team member tied for 25th in the NCAA in saves on the season. Only two freshmen in the entire NCAA posted more saves than Gibaut this season. Sacramento State’s Sutter McLoughlin (17 saves) and The Citadel’s Skylar Hunter (13 saves) were also named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-American team.
The honor bestowed upon Gibaut was the fourth time a Greenie was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball since 2008. Current teammate Alex Facundus earned the same recognition in 2011, while former Greenies Jeremy Schaffer and Rob Segedin were named to the team in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
In addition Gibaut and the three aforementioned players, Tulane has had 13 other players earn Freshman All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball, dating back to 1987: Warren McFadden (2006), Brad Emaus (2005), Brian Bogusevic (2003), J.R. Crowel (2003), Gerald Clark (2002), Michal Aubrey (2001), Tony Giarratano (2001), Nick Bourgeois (2000), James Jurries (1999), Jake Gautreau (1999), Chad Sutter (1996), Ivan Zweig (1991) and Gerald Alexander (1987).
