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Jersey Number 17
Ethan Sanders
- Height:
- 6-1
- Weight:
- 200
- Class:
- Freshman
- Hometown:
- Cedar Park, Texas
- High School:
- Vista Ridge
Honors
2026: Earned American All-Freshman honors after leading the team with 64 strikeouts, tying for the lead with five wins, and ranking second with 14 starts and 83 innings… Totals for starts, innings, and strikeouts were the most by a Rice freshman since Matt Canterino in 2017… Ranked fourth in the American in overall innings pitched and ranked 10th in strikeouts, and in conference games, he was tied for fourth with four wins, ranked seventh with 48.1 innings, and 10th with a 3.91 ERA… Was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in nine conference starts, all as the game two starter… 2-2 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in eight games (six starts) at Reckling Park (33 hits and 12 walks in 39.0 innings)… Made his debut with a pair of relief outings before moving into the starting rotation at USC on 2/22… Gave up one run in 3.2 innings in relief vs. Northwestern in 2/13 in his debut and followed that with four hitless innings out of the bullpen vs. Louisiana on 2/17… Shook off a pair of two-run innings early to work 7.0 innings on just 81 pitches at USC, not allowing a hit in his final four innings, and followed that with five hitless innings in a combined shutout of Harvard on 3/1… Struck out a career-high 11 at Abilene Christian on 3/8, which tied for the team high in 2026… 11 strikeouts were the most in a game by an Owl since 2024, and the most by a Rice freshman since Canterino fanned 11 vs. FAU at the 2017 C-USA Championship… Worked at least six in six of 14 starts overall (five quality starts) and in four of nine American starts (three QS).
Vista Ridge High School: Four-year starter for coach Matt Garver as the Rangers rolled to the district 25-6A title in his junior season… Named the district pitcher of the year in 2024 in a season highlighted by a no-hitter against Cedar Ridge on 3/18, striking out 11 while also going 2x4 at the plate… All-District 25-6a Utility player as a senior after hitting .435 and posting a 1.62 ERA in 30.1 innings. a Represented Vista Ridge in the 2025 AABCA All-Star game held at Dell Diamond on 6/8… Academic All-State selection as a senior.
Personal: Son of Wayne and Joanna Sanders… Born: September 1… two brothers, one sister… Uncle (Rob Borchardt) played baseball at Sul Ross… Rice major: Undecided… College: Martel
Martel College
- American Conference All-Freshman team
- American Conference Honorable Mention (3/11)
2026: Earned American All-Freshman honors after leading the team with 64 strikeouts, tying for the lead with five wins, and ranking second with 14 starts and 83 innings… Totals for starts, innings, and strikeouts were the most by a Rice freshman since Matt Canterino in 2017… Ranked fourth in the American in overall innings pitched and ranked 10th in strikeouts, and in conference games, he was tied for fourth with four wins, ranked seventh with 48.1 innings, and 10th with a 3.91 ERA… Was 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA in nine conference starts, all as the game two starter… 2-2 with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in eight games (six starts) at Reckling Park (33 hits and 12 walks in 39.0 innings)… Made his debut with a pair of relief outings before moving into the starting rotation at USC on 2/22… Gave up one run in 3.2 innings in relief vs. Northwestern in 2/13 in his debut and followed that with four hitless innings out of the bullpen vs. Louisiana on 2/17… Shook off a pair of two-run innings early to work 7.0 innings on just 81 pitches at USC, not allowing a hit in his final four innings, and followed that with five hitless innings in a combined shutout of Harvard on 3/1… Struck out a career-high 11 at Abilene Christian on 3/8, which tied for the team high in 2026… 11 strikeouts were the most in a game by an Owl since 2024, and the most by a Rice freshman since Canterino fanned 11 vs. FAU at the 2017 C-USA Championship… Worked at least six in six of 14 starts overall (five quality starts) and in four of nine American starts (three QS).
Vista Ridge High School: Four-year starter for coach Matt Garver as the Rangers rolled to the district 25-6A title in his junior season… Named the district pitcher of the year in 2024 in a season highlighted by a no-hitter against Cedar Ridge on 3/18, striking out 11 while also going 2x4 at the plate… All-District 25-6a Utility player as a senior after hitting .435 and posting a 1.62 ERA in 30.1 innings. a Represented Vista Ridge in the 2025 AABCA All-Star game held at Dell Diamond on 6/8… Academic All-State selection as a senior.
Personal: Son of Wayne and Joanna Sanders… Born: September 1… two brothers, one sister… Uncle (Rob Borchardt) played baseball at Sul Ross… Rice major: Undecided… College: Martel
Martel College
Wednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02
