GRIF HUGHES WINS PITCHER OF THE WEEK AWARD

AVON, OH – As the Frontier League opened its 34th season this past weekend, players from two of the longest tenured members dominated the action to earn the first 2026 weekly awards.

Opening night in Evansville’s Bosse Field is always special, and this season the event created history. After appearing only in relief during his first two professional seasons, left-hander Grif Hughes earned the opening day nod and responded with a dominant performance. Hughes held the Florence Y’alls hitless in his six innings of work, striking out eight batters while allowing only one walk. Teammates Nolan Thebiay and Junior Cerda continued the strong work, giving the Otters the earliest no-hitter in Frontier League history.

Hughes is with the Otters for his third season. Originally signed out of Carson-Newman University in 2024, Hughes made 49 relief appearances for Evansville in 2024 and the first month of 2025 before being acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays.