Panther pitches his way to top honor

For several years, Logan Gilbertson has split time between baseball and basketball and has achieved the highest success, but baseball is the one sport that is going to help pay for his college education. As a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, Gilbertson helped lead the Cabot Panthers to their first state baseball championship last month. For the success he’s achieved this season, he is the 2017 Three Rivers Edition Baseball Player of the Year. Gilbertson, who only pitches, had a season record of 7-3 with a 1.61 earned-run average. He struck out 65 batters in 72 1/3 innings. Gilbertson allowed only 24 walks. “This year, he was our big-game guy,” Cabot coach Ronnie Goodwin said. “As I’ve said all year, he got the better teams week in and week out. At the higher levels, they talk about a team having an ace. He was that for us. Those guys can take the pressure off other players. He was outstanding this year. “For him to come in after helping out the basketball team and be ready as quickly as he was is a credit to him.” Speaking of big games, Gilbertson was 2-0 in the Class 7A State Tournament. He pitched 6 2/3 innings in the Panthers’ win over Little Rock Catholic in the first round of the state tournament. He gave up one run on four hits while striking out four. He did walk four batters. In the state-championship win over Springdale Har-Ber, Gilbertson gave up one run on four hits, walking only two while striking out three. “This season, I probably couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said. “We came out and excelled. I knew it was my last hurrah in high school. It was my last high school sport ever.” Gilbertson, who also won a state championship in basketball for the Panthers in 2016, has been playing baseball since he started T-ball when he was 4 years old. “When I was little, I used to play in the field,” he said. “I played both corners (first and third base). When I was 14, I became a pitcher. I knew I was the best in Cabot and would have to carry the load one day.” During 7A-Central play, Gilbertson pitched against Conway twice, Bryant twice and North Little Rock twice, and Catholic once, going 4-2. He also had a no-decision during that stretch. “It definitely felt good to know that he (Goodwin) trusted me with the ball, knowing I had the best teams,” Gilbertson said. “It always kept me focused. I think it helped me grow as a pitcher. I never had an off game. I never had an easy team.” Gilbertson said he didn’t mind not playing other positions or even batting. “As soon as I quit playing the other positions, I liked baseball a whole lot more,” he said. “When I used to hit, it was the thing I hated most about baseball. I hated people throwing balls at me. I’ve never been a great hitter. I was OK at it. I was just so much better on the mound, and I like success.” Gilbertson did not have a plate appearance in 2017. He was 2 for 18 in 2016. Prior to the state championship game at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville, Gilbertson said he had “butterflies” as he entered the stadium. “Once I got down to the bullpen and started throwing, I settled down,” he said. “I was ready to go.” After Gilbertson threw the final pitch, he tossed his glove in the air as the ball was hit toward center fielder Evan Hooper. Gilbertson knew the championship was secured. “We have one of the best center fielders in the state,” Gilbertson said. “I just knew he’d run it down, which was hit right at him.” The celebration that ensued was surreal, Gilbertson said. “I went and met my catcher (Denver Mullins), and we gave each other a hug,” Gilbertson said. “We’ve been friends for a really long time. Then we just hopped on top of the pile. It was wild.” Gilbertson will continue his playing career at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. The Bears are one of five NCAA Division I teams in the state. He signed prior to the 2017 season. “Ever since I got serious about sports, I’ve wanted to go play college baseball,” he said. “The fact that I’m going to a Division I school, it’s all that I could ask for.” Goodwin said he thinks UCA got a good one in Gilbertson. “If you look at it from a college coach or scout’s point of view, the arm works,” Goodwin said. “There is a frame to gain 15 to 20 more pounds, which means there is probably more velocity ahead of him. On top of that, he knows how to pitch. He has three pitches that he can throw at any time.” Gilbertson said he was contacted by other schools, but UCA was the biggest school that recruited him. “I was really set on a four-year school,” he said. Gilbertson wanted to play close to home, and UCA gives him that chance. “A big-time school and close to home — I couldn’t get any better,” he said. Goodwin said he could see Gilbertson having a chance to play professional baseball. “If he puts in the time to develop his body, he might have a chance to play some professional baseball,” Goodwin said, “because with that frame, he might throw 92 to 94 mph.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
Cabot High School Athletics

PANTHER PITCHES HIS WAY TO TOP HONOR

MARK BUFFALO

Three Rivers Edition | 6/25/2017

PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Buffalo