Evan Byers (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky senior Evan Byers has been a bullpen standout for the Wildcats but he also excels in academics and community service. That’s why he has been named one of nine finalists for the inaugural Tony Gwynn Community Service Trophy honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy.
Byers has a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA as a current graduate student in sports fitness and recreation management. At the 2024 College World Series, he received the NCAA Elite 90 Award given to the top academic performer at the event.
He is a seven-time Dean’s List honoree and a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll selection who was inducted into the Frank G. Ham Society of Character in 2025.
Byers was named to the 2024 SEC Community Service Team in 2024, was a two-year member of the UK Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of UK’s Emerging Leaders program. He worked as a volunteer with various community groups, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The Gwynn Trophy honors collegiate baseball student-athletes who are active in their community and represent their programs with integrity, while excelling in the classroom and on the field. The Gwynn Trophy winner will be selected from this group of nine finalists.
On the field, Byers has been a consistent performer for coach Nick Mingione and should end his career in the school’s top 10 for career appearances. He has appeared in 70 games and has a 4.40 ERA and 6-2 record. In 2023 he had a1.65 ERA in 24 games and went 3-1 in 22 appearances last season. He has pitched in 22 games this year.
Byers and his senior teammates — Devin Burkes, Simon Gregersen, Cole Hage, Cole Hentschel, Patrick Herrera, Robert Hogan, Nic McCay, Shaun Montoya, Jackson Nove, Raphael Pelletier and Scott Rouse — will be honored before Saturday’s game with No. 14 Oklahoma (32-14, 13-11 SEC).
Kentucky has lost four straight games, including three at Mississippi State last weekend, going into the three-game weekend series with the Sooners. The Cats (25-20, 10-14 Southeastern Conference) need a strong finish to reach a third consecutive NCAA Regional for the first time in school history. Kentucky closes the season with a three-game series at Vanderbilt.
Thirteen league wins has been an unofficial standard in recent years for a SEC team to reach postseason play.
