Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

THIS YEAR: Versatile southpaw Zach Pettikas is the only 4-year Cougar in Azusa Pacific’s 8-member senior class … Has filled virtually every pitching role at some point in his career for Azusa Pacific … Features a good change-up … Maintains good composure on the mound.

2007: Started in 5 of his 20 appearances, registering a 7-2 record and 3 saves with a 3.93 ERA in 66.1 innings … Struck out 53 and held opposing batters to a .238 average … Was 6-0 in GSAC play, ranking 10th in the conference with a 3.58 ERA in GSAC games … Held opponents to a .208 average and posted a 3.03 ERA in 11 appearances at home … Struck out 6 in his first career complete game, a 16-2 win over Concordia to cap a doubleheader road sweep over the Eagles, the first of 3 victories in 3 straight GSAC starts … Scattered 2 runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts in 7 innings in a 9-3 road win over Biola … Did not allow an earned run in 4 innings of relief work on back-to-back days against Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) in the NAIA West Coast Super Regional.

2006: Appeared in 11 games, starting 7 times … Went 3-5 with a 5.63 ERA, striking out 45 in 54.1 inningsof work … Enjoyed an early-season 16-inning stretch across 3 games without allowing an earned run … Gave up 1 hit and walked 1 while tying his career-high with 8 strikeouts to earn the victory in 5 innings of relief in a 12-4 win over Westmont … Led the Cougars to a 3-1 road victory over Concordia with an 8-inning effort in which he surrendered just 3 hits while striking out 7.

2005: Made 19 appearances, including 7 starts … Was an impact pitcher as a starter after being moved into the rotation for good in early April … Led the Cougars’ pitching staff with 6 victories … Posted an impressive 3.68 ERA allowing 24 earned runs in 58.2 innings … Struck out 46 batters … Made his first start of the season against Vanguard and threw 7 innings of 1-run ball with 5 strikeouts to earn the win … Had a pair of outstanding starts against Westmont … In his first start against the Warriors, picked up the win by pitching a solid 7 innings allowing only 2 runs while striking out 6 … Beat Westmont again in early May tossing 8 innings while allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts.

HIGH SCHOOL: Prepped 2 varsity seasons for head coach Steve Gulotti at El Dorado High in Placentia, Calif. … Named All-Century League first team and All-Orange County second team after leading the Hawks to the CIF championship game as a 2004 senior … Led the Hawks to the CIF second round and a 22-6 mark as a 2003 junior.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 3, 1986, in Fullerton, Calif., to Leon and Joni Pettikas … Has one sister (Mandi), who also attended Azusa Pacific … His uncle, David Perry, pitched at Azusa Pacific from 1995-97 … Majoring in history.