Azusa Pacific University Athletics

2023: Named Academic All-PacWest… Made seven appearances on the mound for the Cougars this season… Threw 6.2 innings and struck out eight… Threw one inning, striking out two in a victory over Cal State Dominguez Hills. 

2022: Earned Academic All-PacWest honors... Appeared in nine games as a true freshman… Threw 12 innings, striking out eight batters.

High School: Graduated from Denver South in Denver, Colo., in 2020... Was a four-year baseball varsity letter member under head coach Paul Grubesic... Was the team captain for his final two seasons... In his last full season (junior year), Gifford recorded a 1.22 ERA and struck out 81 batters in just 46 innings... In that same season, Gifford was named a 5A All-State Honorable Mention and Co-Player of the Year in his league... Led his team to the state playoffs for the first time in 38 years... Also, played golf his first two years of high school... After graduating in 2020, he coached his high school's JV team in 2021 before coming to Azusa Pacific in the fall of 2021.

Personal: Born February 22, 2002 in Ann Arbor, Mich... Son of Tracey and Bradley... His mom is a former collegiate swimmer at the University of Arizona... Has one younger brother, Macklin... Studying Business Management... Hopes to start his own business or possibly play pro ball... Enjoys golf and being a part-time JV Coach.