Aaron Cox rewrote the record books as a pitcher for three seasons with the Golden Knights before being selected in the Major League Draft.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-hander set Gannon career records with 251 strikeouts, 10.72 strikeouts per nine innings, 21 complete games, and 5 shutouts. He held opposing hitters to a .233 batting average in his career, which is also a program record. (His strikeout and shutout records have since been broken.)
When he left Gannon in 2015, he had the three highest single-season strikeout totals (89 in 2014; 81 in 2013 and 2015). Those seasons now rank second through fourth. He also set the GU single-season record with 10 complete games in 2014.
Cox also ranks second in Gannon history with a 3.29 ERA and 18 career victories. He threw a no-hitter in 2015 against Limestone (S.C.).
However, Cox wasn't only a star on the mound for the Golden Knights; he was a power-hitting standout at the plate. His 15 career homers tie him for seventh on Gannon's career list. He hit .284 with 115 hits, 24 doubles, 5 triples, and 72 RBIs in three seasons.
He was the PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2013 when he earned Second Team All-PSAC West honors. He was a First Team All-PSAC West selection as a sophomore in 2014 and a Second Team All-PSAC West pick as a junior. Daktronics named him All-Region Second Team in 2014.
His brother, Kyle Cox, was also a standout on the Gannon baseball team.
In 2015, Aaron Cox became the fourth Gannon player to be selected in the Major League Draft when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim drafted him in the 19th round. The Vineland, N.J., native was majoring in criminal justice before he signed a pro contract in 2015.
He pitched three seasons in the minor leagues, compiling a 7-3 record with a 3.64 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 101 innings.
He passed away on Aug. 15, 2018, at the age of 24.
