Gaines Estridge

Photo by: Caroline Friedrick

Height:
6-2
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Fort Worth, TX
High School:
Covenant Christian Academy
Position:
RHP

Sophomore (2025): Saw action in 17 games…Made five starts on the season…Record of 1-4…Totaled 36.2 innings on the mound…Struck out 23 batters…Threw 18.1 innings and 10 strikeouts in Mountain West play…Took his first career start at #10 Florida (Feb. 15, 2025) and went 3.1 innings with a career-best four Ks and a trio of runs allowed…Earned his first career win in a 6-4 victory against UNLV (Apr. 12, 2025) after throwing 1.2 innings in relief…Pitched a career-high 4.2 innings against Navy (Feb. 22, 2025) with just two runs surrendered and three Ks…Did not allow a run or hit at UNLV (May 17, 2025)…Went on Operation Air Force at Buckley SFB in Aurora, Colo., and played summer ball in the Northwoods League during the summer of 2025.

Freshman (2024): Appeared in 23 games as a reliever and had a 1-0 record…Pitched 26.2 innings on the season with 15 strikeouts…Earned his first collegiate win against San Diego State, May 10, going 3.1 innings, allowing no runs and just one hit with two strikeouts and no walks…Career-bests of two strikeouts three times, most recently vs. SDSU, May 10…Threw 2.0 innings in relief in the 14-13 win over Fresno State, May 17, and allowed just one run on one hit with a strikeout.

High School (Covenant Christian Academy): Played for Michael Boughton as a Cougar...First team all-district selection...Two-time second team all-district selection...First team academic all-state choice...Second team all-state selection...Division Pitcher of the Year his final season...Team captain as a senior as well...Lettered all four seasons...Also played club for Texas Stix Scout Team.

Personal: Member of cadet squadron 18...Son of Brian and Becky...Has one sister, Ellie who plays softball at Emory...Major is military and strategic studies...Also enjoys hunting...Great-grandfather and grandfather served in the Navy...Has grandparents that served in the CIA...Began playing baseball at age 12...Greatest individual moment was leading his high school team his final season...Favorite team moment was securing a 24-5 record his senior year at Covenant Christian Academy...His favorite players are Marcus Stroman and Trevor Bauer...His role model is Jesus Christ...Pregame ritual includes a curated playlist, meditation, and an iced vanilla latte from Starbucks...Credits his high school pitching coach and former big leaguer Mike Bacsik for having the biggest impact on his athletic career...Chose the Academy "To be different than everyone else, to push myself, and do something bigger than myself."